Family violence economic harm
Economic abuse is a form and feature of family violence. It involves restricting access to, sabotaging or exploiting another person’s financial resources, and impeding their economic autonomy. We can help people reduce the impact of this form of abuse.
Family violence economic harm service
Financial and economic abuse is recognised in the Family Violence Act 2018, as a form of psychological abuse. It takes many forms, for example:
- Restricting money
- Damaging property
- Preventing someone from work or forcing them to work
- Manipulating how much child support is owed
- Forcing or fraudulently incurring debt.
Even if finances are not used as a means of abuse, family violence creates economic harm. For example, money needed to move to safety or not being able to work due to fear or physical injury. The economic impact of family violence can continue long after the relationship and other forms of abuse have ended.
We provide specialist support to address and recover from economic abuse and harm related to family violence. This service:
- Helps remedy unjust financial situations and reduce unreasonable debt
- Helps people access entitlements and financial wellbeing tools like no- interest loans
- Helps build people’s financial capability and confidence.
Our specialists work alongside clients and other organisations like Women’s Refuge, ACC, WINZ, and banks.
This is not an emergency service. If you’re experiencing family violence, please contact a family violence agency such as Women’s Refuge or Shine. If your safety is at risk right now, please call 111.
We can help with the financial and economic impact of family violence.
You can also explore the Healthy Relationships Toolkit.
About economic abuse
Economic abuse is a form and feature of family violence. It involves restricting access to, sabotaging or exploiting another person’s financial resources, and impeding their economic autonomy.
Financial and economic abuse happens to all demographics and at all social-economic levels. It does not discriminate.
Financial and economic abuse is not always easily visible. Also, many people aren’t aware this is a form of violence, which means they’re less likely to spot the signs.
Financial and economic abuse can mean some people don’t have the financial means to leave violent relationships. Many are forced to choose between safety and poverty.
Research suggests about 15% of women experience financial or economic abuse within an intimate partner relationship over their lifetime. (He Koiora Matapopore 2019 New Zealand Family Violence Study).
Recent data from Women’s Refuge shows that more than 60% of women seeking support who completed a risk assessment noted they experienced financial or economic abuse (Good Shepherd research, to be published in January 2024).