Seeking Security: - Australian Domestic and Family Violence ...

Seeking security:
promoting women’s economic wellbeing
following domestic violence
Executive summary
Rochelle Braaf & Isobelle Barrett Meyering
Australian Domestic & Family Violence Clearinghouse
March 2011

Produced by the Australian Domestic and Family Violence Clearinghouse
for the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs
Sydney
© March 2011
The views expressed in this report do not necessarily represent the views of the Australian
Government. The Australian Domestic and Family Violence Clearinghouse is funded by
the Australian Government Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and
Indigenous Affairs. The Clearinghouse is linked to the Centre for Gender-Related Violence
Studies, based in the University of New South Wales, School of Social Sciences and
International Studies.
Authors
Rochelle Braaf & Isobelle Barrett Meyering
with research assistance by Emily Hamilton, Sarah MacGregor, Sarit Huppert and Rosa
Campbell, and management support by Gaby Marcus and Jan Breckenridge
Editing services provided by Jen Hamer
Australian Domestic & Family Violence Clearinghouse
The University of New South Wales
UNSW Sydney NSW 2052 Australia
p: +61 2 9385 2990 f: +61 2 9385 2993 freecall: 1800 753 382
e: clearinghouse@unsw.edu.au w: www.adfvc.unsw.edu.au

Acknowledgements
This research was made possible through funding by the Commonwealth Department of Families,
Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA). We commend the department for
supporting investigation of the financial dimension of domestic violence for women.
The study was also made possible through the generous support of the eight services who
participated in the research. From the outset, the managers and workers of these services
expressed great interest in the subject. They willingly provided space for meetings, precious staff
time to participate in focus groups and interviews, and engaged in many additional conversations
regarding follow up issues. Their experience and expertise significantly informed the research, and
their existing efforts to promote women’s financial security, we hope, will inspire further initiatives in
this area.
Our greatest debt of gratitude goes to the clients of these services, women who freely gave
their time to share with us their experiences and views. Despite the often painful nature of these
sessions, women were keen to participate in order to bring about change – for themselves and for
other women. We were deeply sorrowed by the devastation to women’s lives caused by abusive
partners and failed systems. We were also greatly moved by the countless demonstrations of
resilience and courage women showed in overcoming the hurdles laid in their path, and the,
oftentimes, amazing forward strides they had made in their lives.
1
We dedicate this report to these women and call on policy makers, agency workers, advocates and
practitioners to enact the recommendations of this study, in order to promote the financial security,
independence and freedom that women deserve.
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2Seeking Security: Promoting Women’s Economic Wellbeing Following Domestic Violence
Contents
Introduction............................................................................................................................... 3
Research aims.......................................................................................................................... 3
Research methods and participants......................................................................................... 4
Findings..................................................................................................................................... 4
Conclusions............................................................................................................................. 13
List of recommendations......................................................................................................... 13
References.............................................................................................................................. 17

Introduction
Domestic violence is a pervasive social issue in this country, with an estimated 15-17% of Australian
women affected over the course of their lifetime (Australian Bureau of Statistics 2006, p. 5). It is also
expensive, costing the Australian economy in the order of $13.6 billion in 2008-09 alone (National Council
to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children 2009a, p. 34). Beneath these figures lie numerous
individual experiences of abuse and women’s hard-fought struggles to be free from the immediate and
ongoing effects of violence that permeate their lives.
This research has been specifically concerned to examine the impact of domestic violence on women’s
economic wellbeing and the intersection of this with their recovery overall. To do this, the research
explored the ways in which domestic violence creates complex economic issues for women (and their
children), and how this disrupts their lives over the short and long term. It has been equally concerned
with investigating personal strategies and service initiatives that support those who have left violence to
break free from financial uncertainty. The study was conducted in 2009 by the Australian Domestic and
Family Violence Clearinghouse, which is a project of the Centre for Gender-Related Violence Studies at
the University of New South Wales.
The findings of the research are consistent with national and international research studies that point to
numerous ways in which domestic violence impacts on women’s financial outcomes. This study goes
further to highlight that for women experiencing domestic violence, financial security goes to the heart of
not only their freedom from abuse, but also their recovery and capacity to (re)gain control over their lives,
now and in the future.
3
Importantly, the study has a direct bearing on current debates in Australia concerning social inclusion
(and by extension, social justice) and, specifically, the Federal Government’s social inclusion agenda. 1
In February 2008, then Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard defined social inclusion as the capacity for
people to find employment; access services; maintain social networks through family, friends, work,
personal interests and their local community; deal with personal crises such as ill health, bereavement or
the loss of a job; and have their voice heard (2008). This research demonstrates how significantly men’s
violence towards their female partners contributes to women’s social exclusion. This is apparent through
its direct negative impact on victims’ material wealth and health outcomes. Domestic violence is also
a disempowering force, undermining the confidence of those affected and often inviting discrimination
against them. Efforts to prevent and mitigate the economic effects of domestic violence on victims are,
thereby, central to promoting women’s social inclusion.
Research Aims
Considerable research has already been undertaken to investigate the impact of domestic violence on
women’s lives. Studies have focussed on specific issues such as the impact on: employment (Franzway,
Zufferey & Chung 2007; Lloyd 1997, p. 73; Moe & Myrtle 2004); use of welfare (Riger & Staggs 2004b);
property and financial settlements (Sheehan & Smyth 2000); homelessness (Australian Institute of Health
and Welfare 2008b; Correia & Melbin 2005); and on the financial abuse of women (Branigan 2004;
Evans 2007). However, there has been limited attention, particularly in Australia, to drawing these issues
together to generate a more comprehensive picture of the impact upon a victim’s ongoing financial status
or to investigate pathways to safety through financial security. This study has, therefore, sought to fill
those gaps and identify points for intervention.
1 In 2008, the Federal Government set a national agenda to promote social inclusion in Australia. In addition to launching a web site and
establishing a Social Inclusion Unit in Government, it released its Principles for Social Inclusion to guide individuals, business and community
organisations, and government to promote social inclusion in their activities. See the Federal Government’s Social Inclusion web site. Viewed
4 June 2010 .
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4Seeking Security: Promoting Women’s Economic Wellbeing Following Domestic Violence
The research specifically aimed to:
1. investigate ways in which domestic violence undermines women’s financial circumstances
and, in turn, how poverty affects their efforts to gain safety
2. investigate strategies that support positive economic outcomes for women
3. develop and promote the implementation of these strategies, to support women’s financial
security and pathways to safety.
Research methods and participants
A review of the literature undertaken for the study identified nine key areas of life where domestic violence
directly affects women’s financial security: debts, bills and banking; accommodation; legal issues; health;
transport; migration; employment; social security; and child support. Questions related to these areas
were used to initiate discussion with participants, with the interviews remaining open-ended and reflexive
to allow for other issues to emerge.
The researchers worked with eight diverse services, who recruited female clients and workers to
participate in the study. There were one hundred and seven (107) participants in total:
• thirty-two individual interviews with women affected by domestic violence
• seven focus groups attended by 25 women affected by domestic violence
• eight focus groups attended by 49 workers
• one individual interview with a worker. 2
The interviews and focus groups explored barriers to participant’s financial security pre and post violent
relationships and the strategies and responses that assisted them to be more financially secure. The
research specifically looked for behaviours and actions of the abusive partners that contributed to
the women’s financial insecurity and what role the services, agencies, utilities and other organisations
played in assisting or hindering women’s efforts to become financially secure. Workers were also asked
to complete a survey concerning their perception of the usefulness of different strategies to assist their
clients’ financial security.
Interviews and focus groups were recorded and thematic analysis was applied to identify major trends
and patterns. Researchers were also interested in unique issues arising in individual cases that provided
a deeper picture of the participant’s experiences.
In March 2010, a worker’s forum was held to discuss the study findings and to identify and share
strategies and responses that services could take, to better support women’s financial circumstances.
Discussion within this forum contributed to the formulation of the research recommendations.
Findings
The research identified:
• seven key messages that underpin a sound understanding of women’s economic needs
• eleven critical areas of life where women’s financial security is significantly affected and
where intervention can have optimum effect.
2 This worker was unable to participate in a focus group with other staff.

Key messages from the research
First Key Message
The decision to stay or leave an abusive relationship is, for many women affected by financial factors.
Finances exert an influence in two directions:
1. impetus to leave: suffering financial abuse, control or manipulation is a trigger for some
women to leave
That was a lot of the reason why I left, because he preferred to pay for alcohol than buy nappies for our
baby. [Service 3 Client focus group]
The main thing was the finances. My partner used financial manipulation to pressure me. I didn’t
realise it was going on because I didn’t think it could happen to me... [Service 3 Client 2]
2. obstacle to leaving: feeling imprisoned by financial need: not having financial independence
or being able to imagine coping financially, keeps many victims trapped in the abusive
relationship.
It was a big part of it… I thought, ‘How do I have all my needs – groceries, medications – met I
thought, ‘What am I going to do’ It took two to three years for me to finally say, ‘What’s worse: doing
without or doing this’ [Service 4 Client 3]
5
Second Key Message
Financial assistance is required in different forms at different stages of a violent relationship and should
be tailored to the specific needs of each stage. This includes before leaving, immediately after leaving,
and to support longer term recovery.
I think it’s from when you think that ‘I need to leave but how do I leave I haven’t got enough money’ to
when you have left and then all the bills that pile up afterwards which can be just as hard. [Service 7
Client focus group]
Third Key Message
The experience of domestic violence significantly contributes to poverty, financial risk and financial
insecurity for women, sometimes long after they have left the relationship.
I actually feel financially ruined… And that money was taken away from me because of the law of
the family court and the way that they manipulated or he manipulated the situation, making me now
a victim of financial hardship. Whereas, ok I’ve got a job but I’m the working poor and no matter how
much I will get, I will always be back... It’s like I’m back at day one, starting like a new graduate working
with now three kids to take care of. [Service 7 Client focus group 2]
I’ve got no money. I don’t know where the money for the next meal is coming from. I’ve got nothing.
[Service 3 Client 2]
Fourth Key Message
There is a significant lack of perpetrator accountability for actions that undermine women’s financial
security.
I ended up going insolvent... because my partner left me in debt because all the bills were in my name of
course. I had a [loan] contract... now that’s a black mark against my name and I can’t get loans and I can’t get
all that sort of stuff… I’m really struggling... He gets away with it scot-free. [Service 5 Client focus group]
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6Seeking Security: Promoting Women’s Economic Wellbeing Following Domestic Violence
Fifth Key Message
Financial insecurity hinders women’s recovery from the trauma of the violence in two important ways:
1. women cannot access the support they need for themselves or their children
I had a fall last year during a panic attack and broke my ankle in two places. I probably need an
operation but won’t know until I’ve had physio treatment, which I can’t afford. I have an ankle brace on it
until I can afford the physio. I also suffer from anxiety which gives me neck and shoulder pain, but I can’t
afford the treatment. I take a lot of pain killers. [Service 7 Client focus group 2]
2. ongoing financial implications of domestic violence are an extension of the abuse and can be
prolonged by perpetrators’ actions.
I think that I’ve lived with domestic violence for thirteen years and getting out of it I thought that I will be
free of it but my barrier to freedom is the money. [Service 7 Client focus group 2]
Sixth Key Message
Women’s access to services that alleviate poverty is hindered by lack of knowledge and an inconsistent
and complex service system. Workers responses in many cases may not assist in guiding victims
through this maze, but can cause further trauma and disempowerment.
I think that’s what it is, if people are aware that there’s help there, because I just had no idea. I mean, you hear
of crisis care and things like that but you don’t actually know. I have actually rung counsellors, I have been to
a counsellor about the situation but never been told about it [domestic violence]. [Service 2 Client 1]
Seventh Key Message
Advocacy to navigate legal and other service systems and claim entitlements is critical to assist women
to achieve financial security. Advocacy helps individuals in all areas and maximises the efficiency of all
services, but is not sufficiently resourced.
To be able to have one person and explain the possibility of where I will go financially, and how court’s going
to work, and whether I will be able to look for employment or not, and whether I’m going to have to see a
private lawyer or not, and how all that’s going to work, would be a great help. [Service 2 Client 5]
Eleven critical areas for intervention
Where specifically does domestic violence intersect with financial security and what are its effects The
following eleven areas of concern emerge clearly from this research:
1. Deciding to leave
2. Debts, bills and banking
3. Accommodation
4. Legal issues
5. Health
6. Transport
7. Migration
8. Employment
9. Social security
10. Child support
11. Service capacity

Deciding to Leave
Financial circumstances played a significant role in women’s decisions to end an abusive relationship.
Two patterns emerged: some women indicated that their lack of financial security within the relationship
prompted them to leave; while other women indicated that concerns about their future financial security
prevented them from leaving, often for many years. In either circumstance, financial and material support
was essential to enable safety, independence and recovery from the abuse.
Further, the timing and particular form of financial assistance that was required varied for immediate
escape, ongoing survival and long term recovery. Three key stages were identified:
• before leaving, when the provision of information about financial and material support that is
available may aid women in their decision to leave a violent relationship
• immediately after leaving, when the provision of adequate financial and material support
could prevent a rapid descent into poverty, or possible return to the violent relationship,
forming a base from which they might begin to build a more secure future
• in the long term, when the provision of financial and material support, as well as economic
capacity-building, could assist women to become financially independent.
Debts, Bills and Banking
7
Barriers
Women spoke about their experience of a range of financial abuses by ex-partners. Some were
excluded from having anything to do with the household finances by partners during the relationship.
Others had their assets or money appropriated by their partners or were forced to carry debts incurred
by their partner during and after the relationship. These debts included mortgages, credit card bills and
business debts. Such actions had severe consequences for some women, including a poor credit rating,
insolvency or bankruptcy.
Women and workers referred to difficulties with financial institutions and other creditors. Some of these
related to institutions imposing fees or penalties on women when ex-partners failed to make payments
on joint loans, debts or bills. Even where such institutions had hardship policies, they often did not make
information about these available to women or women found it difficult to negotiate with institutions for
extensions of time or reductions in bills.
Strategies
Some women had directly approached financial institutions for assistance in preventing their partner’s
financial abuse. Other women had been successful in taking up special financial products for low income
earners, such as no or low interest loans, matched savings accounts or other forms of microcredit. While
many women in the study were skilled at managing their money, given their low incomes, others found
they benefited from personal financial advice and assistance in the form of economic advocacy, financial
literacy education and financial advice.
Accommodation
Barriers
When separating from a violent partner, many women in the study were forced to leave the family home,
often resulting in them becoming immediately homeless. Some women had been forced to relocate
several times because their ex-partner continued to threaten or abuse them. Finding safe, affordable,
appropriate accommodation post separation was probably the single biggest concern for women in the
study. Costs associated with leaving the family home were substantial, including relocation and storage
costs. A number of women had left behind all their possessions when they left the home (including
furniture, cookware and clothes), which then had to be replaced.
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8Seeking Security: Promoting Women’s Economic Wellbeing Following Domestic Violence
A lack of suitable emergency accommodation and public housing was a major issue raised in most of
the interviews and focus groups, leaving women at risk of having to return to the abusive relationship.
Several women had lived in their car because they could not access accommodation when they first
separated. Women and workers discussed the high costs of private rental, and lack of rental places
available, as well as discrimination in this market, particularly against single mothers, mothers with more
than two children, Indigenous women and women who have experienced domestic violence. Women
who were in the process of paying off their own home spoke about mortgage stress.
Strategies
This study identified two avenues of assistance that had benefited women across different housing
scenarios: housing advocacy and financial assistance. Housing advocacy was highly valued by women.
This included organising crisis accommodation, providing assistance for public housing applications,
providing references for real estate agents, and offering information about and facilitating access to
financial and material assistance provided by governments and charities. Many women in the study
had accessed some financial supports like Centrelink Rent Assistance, bond assistance through state
government schemes and other financial and material assistance offered through charities and services.
A few women had managed to remain in the family home, either negotiated with their ex-partner or by
using an exclusion or ouster provision on a protection order. This offered them long term accommodation
in an area where they were supported by social networks. For those women who had not been able
to remain in the home, crisis accommodation was critical. Some had found this entirely unsafe or
unsuitable. In contrast, a few services participating in the study were able to offer women access to
secure private apartments, which they were able to remain in for up to a year.
Legal issues
Barriers
A large proportion of the women in the study had engaged with the legal system following separation
from their partners, including: criminal cases; civil cases involving protection orders; family law matters
involving parenting arrangements and property settlement; wills; victim compensation; bankruptcy; and
legal action relating to jointly owned business. Legal matters involving ex-partners offered women one
way to gain financial security but could also be an acute source of financial stress and hardship.
A critical area of concern for women was around family law issues. Changes to the legislation in 2006
gave greater emphasis to children maintaining relationships with both parents and a presumption of
shared parental responsibility, possibly leading to more equal time spent with each parent. Aside
from safety concerns for families affected by domestic violence, these reforms have had implications
for women’s financial settlements, including for child support, property and spousal maintenance
arrangements (Fehlberg 2008). Women in the study reported finding themselves receiving less in
financial settlements, where more equal time parenting arrangements have been determined by the court,
and then having ex-partners fail to meet their parenting obligations.
Legal matters ended up costing women substantial amounts in legal fees, court costs, lost work days,
child care and the costs of court appointed specialists. In particular, multiple and protracted cases had
resulted in higher costs in the order of tens and hundreds of thousands of dollars for some women. A
few women indicated that they had been unable to pursue legal matters due to the costs involved or
been unable to afford private representation, which they felt compromised the quality of legal service they
received.

Strategies
Study participants acknowledged the high value of legal advocacy for women. This included: providing
clients with legal information; referrals to local and specialised legal services; explaining legal letters
and other documents in plain English; assistance in gathering and preparing documents for court; and
accompanying women to court. Some women had taken it upon themselves to become very familiar with
relevant legislation in order to be able to participate in their case more effectively and, in some instances,
inform their legal counsel. A few women had successfully sought restitution for their experience of
domestic violence through state-based victim compensation schemes; however, not all women and
workers were aware of this option.
Health
Barriers
Participants and their children experienced a wide range of physical and mental health issues resulting
from domestic violence. These included physical injuries, poor health associated with psychological
stress and a high prevalence of mental health issues (such as depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress
symptoms and sleeping difficulties). For many, these issues had extended long beyond the cessation of
the relationship.
The cost of medical treatment was a major source of financial pressure. The cost and limited number of
counselling sessions available to women with mental health issues was particularly of concern. While
most women in the study had access to Medicare and to a Health Care Card offering discounts on
medicines and health services, these did not cover all medicines or services. Services not covered or
only partially covered included: specialist services (e.g. psychologists); dental care and orthodontics;
optometry; paramedic care; ambulance transport; and pregnancy terminations. Only a very small
number of women were able afford private health insurance. Due to the costs involved, many of the
women in the study were forced to compromise or delay health care for themselves and their children.
9
Strategies
Overall, women spoke positively about the support they had received from health professionals. Those
who had access to Medicare, and the Health Care Card in particular, found these extremely helpful in
facilitating access to health services. Two other government health schemes cited as being very helpful
were the GP Mental Health Care Plan and the Medicare chronic disease dental scheme. Charities were
also identified as able to provide some health assistance, such as through vouchers for optometrists.
Red Cross, in particular, provides essential health programs for women without an income or access
to government income support. Finally, some women had been successful in applying for victim
compensation for their injuries associated with the violence.
Transport
Barriers
Access to transport emerged from the study as a source of financial concern, albeit one that affected a
smaller number of women than other issues. Women explained that the high cost of car ownership and
lack of access to public transport in turn impacted on their safety, capacity to work and access services,
sense of independence and overall quality of life.
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Strategies
Some participants in the study turned to family and friends for support around their transport concerns
or developed individual techniques for managing their situation (e.g. negotiating deals with mechanics).
Formal support around women’s transport needs is highly limited; however, some examples cited in
the study included the provision of transport vouchers, brokered taxi services and discounts on car
registration provided for those with a Health Care Card.
Migration
Barriers
10
Seeking Security: Promoting Women’s Economic Wellbeing Following Domestic Violence
In the case of women migrating to Australia where the relationship has broken down because of domestic
violence, those on some forms of temporary resident visa can apply for residency status in their own
right under the Family Violence Provision (FVP) of the Migration Regulations Act 1994 (Cwlth). Despite
the availability of this provision, several women in the study described partners deliberately hindering
their initial application for residency or placing them in a position where an application for a work visa
or residency would be difficult. A number of women in the study found information about immigration
and visa application processes confusing and intimidating. They were anxious about the uncertainty of
outcomes and the possibility of deportation was a constant fear. Women and workers expressed concern
about lengthy application processes, which may extend for months or years, making it difficult for women
to plan or think about the future. Migrant women’s access to income during the interim period may
be seriously limited, due to Centrelink eligibility requirements and working restrictions. This can leave
women impoverished and unable to access key services (e.g. refuges).
Strategies
Migrant women in the study emphasised the critical value of having information about migration
processes and accessing legal advice and assistance with their application during a time of heightened
anxiety and confusion. All the services in the study provided some migration advocacy. This may have
only extended to referral to legal and/or migration services but in some cases included: reading and
explaining legal documents; writing letters of support or statutory declarations; and preparing visa and
residency applications. Women in the study who were applying or had applied for residency under the
FVP typically needed to access financial and material assistance from services, charities and government
programs in order to survive. This included assistance with: housing, utility bills, medical expenses
and food. Such assistance is very limited and in some cases women return to violent partners due to
financial hardship. Two government programs that were seen to be of significant help are the Community
Assistance Support (CAS) Program (previously the Community Care Pilot Program) and Asylum Seeker
Assistance Scheme (ASA), both administered through the Red Cross.
Employment
Barriers
Women encountered a number of barriers to their employment that were directly attributable to the
abusive ex-partner. Some women had not been allowed to work while in the relationship and were now
finding it difficult to enter or re-enter the workforce post separation. They felt they were not yet job ready,
due to their lack of skills, education or employment history. Others had to give up their jobs when they
fled due to moving away or being harassed at work by their ex-partner. A proportion of the women
were still deeply affected by the trauma of the abuse such that panic attacks, depression, insomnia and
suicidal thoughts prevented them from maintaining employment. Some women had little time available
to work, being fully occupied with attending to health, accommodation, legal and other matters related to
the abuse.

System barriers also limited women’s employment opportunities. A lack of affordable childcare options
was a significant factor making employment financially unviable for many women in the study, as was
the potential loss of social security benefits. Some groups of women faced particular challenges: CALD
women in the study spoke of language barriers, lack of recognition of their prior qualifications and limited
social support networks to assist with child care; while older women and women with disabilities felt that
they were actively discriminated against by employers.
Strategies
Some women had disclosed the violence to their employer to gain support and approval for leave
requests to attend to matters associated with the abuse. Others had made use of flexible work
arrangements to deal with these matters. For more traumatised women, counselling or other medical
support, including medication, was assisting their recovery in preparation for returning to work. Others
had found that volunteering offered a valuable stepping stone to more formalised, regular and demanding
paid work. Some women had taken up education or training in order to become job ready. A few had
made use of recruitment services, with mixed results.
Social security
Barriers
Most of the women in the study were accessing some form of social security entitlements. However, both
women and workers identified serious administrative barriers in accessing these. Barriers included: not
receiving information or receiving conflicting information on what they could access; a lack of assistance
to fill in forms; considerable waiting times for payments to be processed; and payments being cut off due
to administrative errors. Women were distressed about being asked to explain their domestic violence
situation to a different officer every time they went into Centrelink and felt undermined by negative
encounters with staff.
11
Women and workers also identified policy areas of concern. These related to their perceptions of the
inadequate level of payments, welfare to work requirements and welfare fraud investigations that fail to
recognise the impact of domestic violence. There were specific issues raised around the hardship for
migrant women without access to government income support. Although not canvassed in the interviews
or focus groups, the government’s introduction of compulsory income management for victims of
domestic violence raises serious concerns about the undermining of women’s management of their own
finances following domestic violence.
Strategies
Women and workers sought out Centrelink officers who were known to be more knowledgeable about
domestic violence and women’s entitlements. Centrelink social workers were generally seen to be more
knowledgeable about and supportive of women affected by domestic violence than other staff. Some
specific services had been beneficial, including the Jobs, Education and Training (JET) program and
Advance Payment Scheme. Workers at some services sought to actively build positive relationships with
local Centrelink staff by attending joint meetings, providing training and exchanging information.
Service workers acted as advocates for clients by providing them with information about Centrelink
entitlements, explaining forms and policies to them and assisting them to fill in paperwork. Some workers
physically accompanied women to Centrelink offices and advocated for particular entitlements on their
behalf.
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Child support
Barriers
Forty-one of the fifty-seven women in the study had children under 16 years of age and most of those
who claimed child support were dissatisfied with the arrangement. They found payments inadequate to
meet even basic needs, due to low child support assessments or avoidance practices by ex-partners.
Additionally, women received less in social security entitlements because they were assessed as
receiving child support, even when these payments had been missed, were late or were under paid.
Worse, retaliation or continued abuse by ex-partners resulted in many women preferring not to seek child
support and requesting an exemption. Women and workers were also significantly frustrated with the
Child Support Agency’s (CSA’s) lack of investigative powers to make ex-partners accountable for their
obligation to financially support their children.
Strategies
12
In order to address these barriers, some women had investigated their ex-partner’s income and provided
evidence of avoidance practices to CSA, often at great risk to themselves. A few women, frustrated with
the lack of action by CSA, had taken these matters to court. Additionally, most of the services in the study
were able to provide advocacy to women, by providing information about the child support process;
assisting in filling in forms; reading letters; writing letters of support concerning compliance with parenting
orders; and directly advocating with CSA or Centrelink on behalf of clients.
Seeking Security: Promoting Women’s Economic Wellbeing Following Domestic Violence
Service capacity
Barriers
Service workers in the study identified funding issues as directly affecting their service’s capacity to
support clients to gain financial security. These concerned: insufficient funding to provide the level of
service needed; cutbacks in funding; the uncertainty of ongoing funding; and provision of one off or
short term funding for programs, which are then not re-funded. In addition to funding limitations, workers
made general reference to gaps in the service system as a whole, that impact on the range of supports
available. These gaps were more apparent for women with complex needs and women needing
specialised support. Aside from resource issues, workers expressed concern about the negative
reactions that clients and workers often receive from staff in external organisations, such as workers
failing to recognise the impact of domestic violence for clients or making constant demands for women to
prove or re-tell their domestic violence experience. Finally, workers were concerned about a general lack
of knowledge amongst women themselves about domestic violence, their rights and supports available.
Strategies
In order to strengthen their capacity to support clients, a considerable portion of worker energies
were devoted to securing and maintaining funding streams through: negotiation with funding bodies;
applying for grants; collaborating with other organisations to provide services or sharing resources; and
hooking into external programs. All the services in the study referred clients to external organisations
and maintained lists of services and programs where clients could access support. In order to make the
service system more seamless for clients, some workers accessed services and programs on behalf of
clients or provided ‘warm referrals’ (i.e. setting up meetings with external organisations, accompanying
clients and sitting in on appointments). To build and maintain contacts with external organisations and
agencies, service workers participated in joint meetings (e.g. domestic violence committee meetings)
and attended general training events and conferences. In order to access more isolated women, workers
also discussed the need for and their efforts to establish networks within communities and with their
religious and cultural leaders, as well as community-based organisations.

Conclusions
Notions of independence, freedom and control over one’s own finances were central themes that
ran through the course of this study and have informed the analysis and development of the study
recommendations.
The research highlights the ways in which violent relationships directly impact on women’s
social inclusion, through their contribution to women’s poverty, poor health, social isolation and
disempowerment. The research has also identified initiatives that are positively changing women’s lives
now, as well as indications of further steps to be taken. This research informs the Federal Government’s
social inclusion agenda and provides some clear directions for initiating strategies that will promote
abused women’s economic participation and prosperity, and which recognise their value to our
communities. This study has shown that through economic empowerment, women can find ways to
survive and leave violent relationships and enable themselves and their children to recover from the
abuse. Economic empowerment means access to basic, minimum standards of living, sufficient capacity
to attend to health and wellbeing and the opportunity to build a secure future.
List of recommendations
A number of recommendations have been made, based on the findings of the study. Within each
subheading below, there are two types of recommendations.
13
Firstly, there are recommendations that directly relate to situations where disclosure of domestic violence
has occurred and the service system is urged to tailor a specific response, to acknowledge the past and
current effects of the violence.
Secondly, there are recommendations that have wider relevance to all people experiencing poverty and
particularly sole parents. These recommendations target general issues within the service system that
significantly compound the disempowerment of victims of domestic violence. Addressing these issues would
create a supportive environment that enables increased financial security for all disadvantaged groups.
Debts, bills and banking
• Government to fund special financial products for domestic violence victims; e.g.:
àà
no or low interest loans and matched saving accounts
• Governments to directly fund domestic violence services to provide in-house financial
counselling
• Financial institutions to introduce policies to address financial abuse; e.g.:
àà
loan or bill splitting between women and ex-partners where debts are generated jointly
àà
greater flexibility in relation to loan criteria
• Education departments to review financial literacy education curriculum in schools to
include a gender analysis.
Accommodation
• State governments to strengthen policies enabling victims of violence to remain in the
family home; e.g.
àà
Access to integrated domestic violence services; access to risk assessment and safety
upgrades
www.adfvc.unsw.edu.au

• Governments to provide women affected by domestic violence assistance to secure
accommodation; e.g.:
àà
a separation payment for women leaving violence; rental subsidies; mortgage assistance
for low income earners
àà
more targeted funding for crisis accommodation and transitional housing where domestic
violence is an issue
àà
increased public housing stock; priority given to housing domestic violence victims
àà
review policies that require women to leave their jobs in order to gain access to refuges.
Legal issues
• Government to amend the Family Law Act 1975 to give greater consideration to
domestic violence in family law cases, to promote more equitable financial settlements
and reduce victim court costs; e.g.:
àà
consideration of domestic violence as a cause of victims’ financial loss
14
àà
introduce monitoring around adherence to parenting orders, with penalties for non
compliance
• Legal Aid to review its policies with the aim of improving service to domestic violence
clients; e.g.:
àà
widen eligibility criteria for domestic violence victims; assist in complex cases
Seeking Security: Promoting Women’s Economic Wellbeing Following Domestic Violence
Health
àà
allocate the same lawyer throughout a case
àà
means test to take into account victims’ lack of access to funds
• Legal bodies to develop specialised domestic violence training and information
for the judiciary, court and legal officers, to be promoted by Attorneys General and
organisations with judicial oversight; e.g.:
àà
establish a domestic violence benchbook and/or web site; establish a national institute of
family violence
• Attorneys General to implement more integrated specialist domestic violence courts.
• Governments and services to increase women’s access to victim compensation for
injuries and illness resulting from domestic violence; e.g.:
àà
provision of information to clients and services; specific provisions in schemes for victims of
domestic violence
• Governments to increase access to health services for women and children affected by
domestic violence; e.g.:
àà
extend eligibility for the Health Care Card to victims of domestic violence
àà
provide more comprehensive coverage of medical treatment under Medicare, particularly
around dentistry, mental health treatment and physiotherapy
àà
introduce a levy system for ambulance services.

Transport
• Governments to make car ownership more affordable for victims of domestic violence;
e.g.:
àà
give women access to petrol vouchers; low interest loans for cars; discounted car
insurance; and free or subsidised driving lessons
• Governments to improve access to public transport; e.g.:
àà
more subsidies for domestic violence victims.
Migration
• Governments to provide targeted information about domestic violence to migrant
women; e.g.:
àà
deliver information for newly arrived migrants through workshops, as part of English classes
and through embassies and via the internet, radio, and television
• Governments to provide migrant victims of violence with increased access to material,
financial or legal support; e.g.:
àà
faster processing of visa applications; widened eligibility for income support through the
Special Benefit; establish dedicated refuge places.
15
Employment
• Employers to establish supportive workplace arrangements for employees affected by
domestic violence; e.g.:
àà
provide paid leave for employees to attend to domestic violence matters; institute safety
provisions; training for managers
• Governments to expand the capacity for women affected by domestic violence to (re)-
enter the workforce; e.g.:
àà
increase support to access education and training
àà
provide more childcare options and financial support to make this affordable
àà
provide greater financial incentives to take up employment for those receiving entitlements
through raised thresholds for payment cut offs or introduction of tax and child care credits.
Social security
• Centrelink to institute a domestic violence policy to better assist clients who are
victims; e.g:
àà
assign a single domestic violence case worker to clients when they disclose
àà
develop an information package about entitlements and processes for clients when they
first disclose
àà
provide specialised income support and vouchers when women first separate; increase
the crisis payment and extend the period in which to apply to six months; widen migrant
eligibility for the Special Benefit
àà
provide voluntary financial literacy and counselling services
àà
provide officers with domestic violence awareness training
• Government to change its policy of compulsory income management for clients to a
voluntary scheme.
www.adfvc.unsw.edu.au

Child support
• Child Support Agency (CSA) to institute a domestic violence policy to better assist
clients who are victims; e.g.:
àà
provide officers with domestic violence awareness training; provide an information package
about entitlements and processes, particularly including information about the exemption
• CSA to ensure adequate child support is paid, on time and in full; e.g.:
àà
adopt investigative powers to ensure accurate estimation of payers’ income
àà
introduce higher minimum amount for child support that reflects the reality of children’s
expenses
àà
introduce a system of guaranteed payments to payees and CSA to pursue payments from
payers.
Service capacity
• Governments to review the funding model and amount provided to domestic violence
services to enable adequate advocacy and support for clients; e.g.:
16
àà
provide sustained funding, with longer-term funding agreements, matched to client
numbers and local needs
àà
provide ongoing funding for successful pilot programs
Seeking Security: Promoting Women’s Economic Wellbeing Following Domestic Violence
• Governments to increase funding and availability for domestic violence training for
mainstream agencies and services, including culturally appropriate training for working
with Indigenous clients
• Mainstream organisations to recognise the authority of domestic violence workers to
assess cases, in order to validate women’s status as victims; e.g.:
àà
establish formal protocols; certification or accreditation accorded to services that meet
certain standards as advocates for clients affected by domestic violence
• Governments to make information about domestic violence more broadly available;
e.g.:
àà
targeted information for victims about domestic violence and support available to be widely
distributed; resources to be targeted to different language groups and people with low/no
literacy.

References
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The full version of Seeking security: promoting women’s economic wellbeing following domestic
violence is available at:
www.adfvc.unsw.edu.au/PDF%20files/Seeking%20Security%20Report%20WEB.pdf
www.adfvc.unsw.edu.au