- 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 visit 1800RESPECT.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
Comments attributed to 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."
Comments attributed to 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."
