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What is it?

Financial abuse is when someone:

  • Takes away your money.
  • Uses your money without asking first.
  • Pressures you to spend your money how they want.

For example, someone might make you feel bad if you don’t want to spend money on them. They may take control of your money when you have the ability to manage it yourself with support. They might use your disability as an excuse, telling you they are acting in your ‘best interests’ even though you don’t agree.

Our community tells us that when someone abuses your trust like this, you might feel embarrassed or ashamed.

Remember, it is never your fault when someone else behaves badly.

A healthy relationship doesn’t drag you down. It supports your freedom. It uplifts you to be the best you.

Where does it happen?

Financial abuse against women and gender-diverse people can happen:

  • By someone you know such as a companion, parent, carer, supporter, adult child, or partner.
  • By a stranger.
  • In person.
  • Over the internet.
  • By text or phone call.

Sometimes, financial abuse can be the result of an unfair rule. Someone might take advantage of a guardianship order to use your money for themselves instead of for you.

What does it look like?

Financial abuse happens in many ways. It could be when someone:

  • Adds their name to your bank account.
  • Makes you get a loan that you don't want.
  • Pressures you to spend your money on things you don’t want to spend money on.
  • Makes you change your will in a way you don't like.
  • Says they will buy shopping or pay bills with your money, but doesn't use the money in the way you agreed.
  • Uses your money without your agreement.
  • Stops you using your own money.
  • Asks you to buy them things or pay their bills.

What to do after financial abuse

The first thing to do is to make sure you are safe. Look after your body and your emotions. If you are in danger, go somewhere safe. Seek medical attention if you need it.

Then, take a deep breath. We're sorry you've had to deal with this. We hope the situation gets better. We know that abuse can be confusing, intimidating, and stressful. People may try to make you believe things are your fault. Sometimes, leaving the situation is hard.

Remember that you are never to blame for bad behaviour. What happened to you is not your fault.

Here is a list of things you could do if you’ve experienced financial abuse. You should choose the options that are right for you.

  • Call 000 if you or anyone else is in immediate danger. If this makes you feel nervous or unsure, you can learn more about the process on the Neve page A guide to calling triple zero (000) (internal link).
  • Talk to the person who manages your money about how you'd like to spend it. If it feels safe, tell them what you want to do and what matters to you. If they listen, great. If they don't listen, talk to someone you trust or call a helpline. You can find a list of national and local helplines on the Neve page Helpline directory (internal link).
  • Develop more financial independence. If you live with the person who abused you, this can help you leave when you are ready. You can learn about managing your money on the Neve pages Managing your own money and Help managing your money (internal link).
  • Keep records of the bad behaviour. If it is safe, save phone call logs, text messages, photos or other evidence documenting the abuse. If you need help doing this, ask a trusted person to assist. If you decide to go to the police later, you will have evidence to show them.
  • Get legal help. You can use legal support to be safer, like restraining orders and protective orders. You can also get advice about whether something that happened to you is a crime. Learn about legal support options on the Neve page Accessing legal support and the courts  (internal link).
  • Report the abuse to authorities. You can call your local police. You can speak to a government organisation, like an Ombudsman or the Australian Human Rights Commission.
  • Know your rights. Everyone has the right to live free from abuse and make choices about things that affect them. Learn about your rights in the Neve section Our rights (internal link).
  • Leave the situation. This can be a very positive step if you live with the person who took your money. However, it is important to think things through and prepare. Learn about how to safely leave a violent or abusive situation on the Neve page How to be safe when leaving an abusive relationship (internal link).
  • Stay and plan how to cope with the violence or abuse. You may not be ready to leave the situation. In that case, think about how you can be safer while you stay. Learn about safety planning in the Neve section on Becoming safer (internal link). People who have been abusive sometimes stop. However, it can also get worse over time. Abuse does not stop unless the person admits the harm they have done, wants to change their behaviour and takes action to change it. Change is unlikely if they keep blaming you or make excuses for themselves. Even if someone wants to change, it may take a long time.
  • Seek support from friends and family members. Tell the person you confide in what would and would not be helpful for you. For example, you might just want to talk. Or, you might want practical help. Let them know not to confront the person who has hurt you. It can make the abuse worse. They should focus on you and what you need to be safer and feel supported.
  • Speak to a counsellor. If you have difficulties you can't overcome alone, see a counsellor, therapist or psychologist. Learn about the different options on the Neve page Counselling and therapy (internal link).
  • Look after yourself. Caring for yourself is important if you have experienced violence or abuse. You can learn how to be calm and more empowered on the Neve page Caring for yourself (internal link).
  • Talk to your service coordinator. This can help if the person who harmed you provides a service related to your disability, like physiotherapy, gardening, cleaning or anything else in your NDIS plan. Tell the service coordinator what happened, and what you’d like to happen next, including if you want your complaint to remain confidential. You might want to offer feedback about the inappropriate behaviour but still work with the person. Or, you might want a new person to provide the service for you.
  • Make a complaint to the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission. If the person who harmed you is an NDIS provider, you can complain to the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission. Learn more on the NDIS Commission website (external link).

Having a disability can make it harder to escape violence and abuse. Limited mobility or social isolation might make it harder to get help. Moving out or getting away from the person who hurts you can seem impossible when money is in short supply. However, help is available.

Even if the person who hurt you is important to you, you can still get help. Many people are hurt by someone they know. It may be an intimate partner, a parent or carer, or someone else in authority, such as a health worker or service provider. You don't have to go to the police if you don't want to. Either way, support is available to keep you safe and help you recover.

1800 RESPECT

If you experience violence or abuse you can contact 1800 RESPECT for support and counselling.
Call 1800 737 732 or go to the 1800 RESPECT website to chat with someone online (external link).

‍To contact 1800RESPECT via SMS, text ‘HELLO’ or any greeting to 0458 737 732 to start the conversation.

Story

Taylor’s uncle is their supporter. Every month, Taylor's uncle tells them to pay his phone bill because they “owe it to him”. Taylor doesn’t think they should, but he makes them feel bad if they don't. This is financial abuse.

Helplines

This section provides information about helplines - telephone and text services that offer help when you need it. Helplines can give you advice, understanding and links to practical support. Here, you can learn to choose a service that meets your needs and prepare for the call. We also share a list of helplines across Australia. If you have an emergency, call 000 (triple zero) to speak to the police or ambulance.

Find out more

Help managing your money

Better money management can help you feel free. It means you have more choices in life and can work towards your goals. It's hard to begin but you don't have to figure it all out yourself. Here, we share information about financial support services. The aim is to build your confidence and help you recognise good support options. Remember, the advice on this page is general, not specific to you. You should carefully consider your situation before deciding what to do.

Find out more

Resources.

May 13, 2024

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Patricia Giles Centre for Non-Violence

You have rights - Easy Read

A guide for women with disability experiencing family and domestic violence.

Check resource

May 13, 2024

|

Patricia Giles Centre for Non-Violence

Your rights

A guide for women with disability and mothers of children with disability who have experience of family and domestic violence.

Check resource

May 13, 2024

|

SECCA

Online dating

Information about online dating.

Check resource

May 4, 2024

|

1800 RESPECT

Escape bag checklist

If you are going to leave a relationship, deciding what to take with you is an important step in creating a safety plan. This checklist helps you plan what you may need to take if you need to leave.

Check resource

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Financial violence or abuse

Financial abuse is when one person controls or exploits someone else's money. It can make you feel like you can't escape. We explain how to recognise the problem and where to get help.

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