- New project to address financial abuse of vulnerable women in regional WA
- ‘Strengthening Financial Futures for Women’ to deliver 18 economic workshops
- $50,000 grant delivered through the Women’s Grants for a Stronger Future program
- The project will be delivered by Financial Counsellors’ Association of WA
The first of 18 new economic empowerment training workshops will be delivered in Bunbury today, to prevent coercive control and financial abuse of vulnerable women across regional Western Australia.
The workshops are part of the new ‘Strengthening Financial Futures for Women’ project which received a $50,000 grant from the State Government earlier this year.
The initiative will be delivered by the Financial Counsellors’ Association of WA to help women develop financial resilience strategies, increase awareness and understanding of economic and financial abuse and to help women take control of their own financial future.
It is estimated one third of Western Australian adults have experienced or know someone who has experienced financial abuse.
The economic empowerment training workshops will take place in nine regional towns around our State, reaching more than 150 women over the next five months.
The workshops are designed to alert women affected by, or at risk of, financial abuse to the signs and behaviours of economic abuse, coercion and control by delivering conversations about healthy, respectful relationships and financial knowledge, in a safe way.
The initiative aligns with the State Government’s Stronger Together: WA’s Plan for Gender Equality and has been funded through the Women’s Grants for a Stronger Future Program.
If you or someone you know is affected by sexual assault, domestic or family violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit1800RESPECT.org.au.In an emergency, call 000.
Your Toolkit is a free online resource with a step-by-step guide on important money matters for people experiencing domestic violence. Your Toolkit can be accessed at: Your Toolkit | Domestic Violence & Financial Abuse Support Australia
As stated by Women’s Interests Minister Sue Ellery:
“Unfortunately, many women are vulnerable to financial hardship. The Cook Labor Government is committed to ending all types of abuse against women.
“Research shows women’s financial literacy is often less than that of men, and their earning capacity can be reduced through career breaks and working in lower paid jobs.
“This project, through the Financial Counsellors’ Association of WA, will deliver tailored economic empowerment education in an accessible way to help women take control of their own financial future.”
As stated by Prevention of Family and Domestic Violence Minister Sabine Winton:
“Financial abuse is an insidious form of domestic violence. Financial abuse is one of the many ways perpetrators may try to exert control over others and the impact this can have on victim-survivors can be lifelong.
“Projects such as this are vital in supporting victim-survivors to develop a better understanding of economic and financial abuse, to be alert to the warning signs of this behaviour and participate in conversations about healthy, respectful relationships.
“Financial literacy, resilience and independence are important contributors to ensuring women, and their children, are safe and in control of their finances.”
Comments attributed to FCAWA Executive Officer Melanie Every:
“The Financial Counsellors’ Association of WA is excited to deliver a series of economic empowerment workshops for women across the state, in partnership with regional community-based services and financial counsellors.
“These workshops will introduce women to the concept of economic abuse and provide education on respectful financial relationships with the support of skilled professionals.
“Women who take part will also be more connected to local financial counselling services for ongoing support.”
