The State Government is partnering with Lotterywest to provide an additional $300,000 to the award winning 'Your Toolkit' - an online resource which provides financial advice and support to women experiencing domestic violence and financial abuse.
'Your Toolkit' comprises a four-part step-by-step guide, based on different stages of a woman's journey to leave a violent relationship and provides information including general financial literacy, education on budgeting, saving, credit, debt, superannuation and insurance.
Almost all women who experience intimate partner violence will also suffer financial abuse during the relationship, which is a form of coercive control.
Bankwest's annual Hidden Costs report into financial abuse in Western Australia found a third of all female respondents said they experienced financial abuse, with the most common behaviour being a partner refusing to contribute financially to the family.
Awareness of financial abuse is also on the rise, with nearly one third of respondents saying they are aware of or have concerns for someone experiencing financial abuse, however two thirds reported feeling it would be hard to seek help.
'Your Toolkit' currently has over 1,000 users per week and this additional funding will allow more people in the community to access this vital service
The annual 16 Days in WA - Stop Violence Against Women campaign runs from 25 November (International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women) to 10 December (Human Rights Day).
Now in its sixth year, 16 Days in WA aims to raise awareness of all forms of violence and abuse and educate the community on how they can play their part in ending violence against women and children.
Further information on the 16 Days in WA campaign, including statistics and resources, are available online.
For more information on 'Your Toolkit' visit: https://yourtoolkit.com/
As stated by Prevention of Family and Domestic Violence Minister Simone McGurk:
"Your Toolkit is a vital, free resource for people facing financial abuse and it has been built in consultation with women who have experienced domestic and family violence.
"We know that financial abuse is a tactic abusers use to retain coercive control over their families, and this funding will ensure that we can reach more people and give them the tools to seek safety and financial security.
"Financial abuse is a significant barrier to women leaving family and domestic violence and lack of economic security and financial resources are the primary reasons women return to abusive relationships.
"It's so insidious that it can often continue even when a person has been able to leave a violent relationship. As a Government we're proud to support 'Your Toolkit' in providing this important service."
