A NEW podcast exploring the complex dynamics of financial abuse and coercive control in relationships has been released by Crime Stoppers Victoria.
An eye-opening two-episode series, titled ‘What is financial abuse’ and ‘Escaping financial abuse’, features Victoria Police Assistant Commissioner Family Violence Command, Lauren Callaway, and Safe Steps chief executive Dr Chelsea Tobin.
The series, made in partnership with BankVic, aims to educate the community on the significant impacts of financial abuse and how to escape this rising form of family violence.
Crime Stoppers Victoria chief executive Stella Smith said financial abuse was often misunderstood by the community – even by those suffering from it.
“Financial abuse can happen to anyone, whether it’s a form of control over your income, child support, pension, or even forcing you to sign important documents such as mortgages or loans,” Ms Smith said.
“Financial abuse occurs whenever a person’s financial independence is restricted through manipulative and controlling behaviour.
“Through our new podcast series, Crime Stoppers Victoria is hoping to shed some light on this form of family violence and to help support those who are suffering from it.”
Assistant Commissioner Callaway, who features in the first episode of the series, said financial abuse and coercive control often wasn’t recognised as traditional family violence by the public.
“In Victoria, we have the broadest definition of what family violence is, and financial abuse and coercive control are included in that definition,” she said.
“We know that family violence occurs in all sorts of settings, and our priority is to keep these victims safe and bring the perpetrators to justice”.
Safe Steps chief executive Dr Chelsea Tobin, who features in the second episode of the series, said Safe Steps was Australia’s only 24/7 crisis response service which assisted victim-survivors of family violence.
Dr Tobin described financial abuse as, “a strategic campaign of abuse held together by fear.”
“That’s what I hear on the phones every day here at Safe Steps, victim-survivors having a debt in their name but not being associated with the asset, having car insurance but no car, and having to beg for necessities such as groceries, petrol money and medical appointments.
“Safe Steps is the crisis entry point for the wider family violence service system in Victoria and our phones are open 24 hours a day every single day of the year. We want people to know if you need our help, please call us,” she said.
To listen to the podcast, search for Crime Stoppers Victoria on your favourite podcast app, or visit https://play.acast.com/s/crime-stoppers-vic
