On average, it takes someone seven attempts to leave an abusive relationship. The most dangerous time for someone living with domestic and family violence is when they leave. And that doesn’t make sense, right? Someone escaping should be safe. But when a perpetrator loses control, their violence often escalates in an attempt to regain control of a person, or revenge once the victim is out of the relationship.
This year the Australian Government announced a $925 million investment into domestic violence. Part of this initiative is a $5,000 escaping violence payment to those leaving abusive relationships. This is an extension of a pilot program that began in 2022 after we saw an almost 30% increase in violence toward women.
It’s something we see in the news all the time with the tragic, unnecessary deaths of kids like Luke Batty, Jack and Jennifer Edwards, and Aaliyah, Laianah, and Trey Baxter.
If you need immediate help call 000 or 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732).
Domestic Violence Help – Financial Support
The Big Banks
Most of the big banks have domestic violence support available in various forms. As you prepare to leave, they can help maintain your financial freedom and privacy.
NAB has a customer care kit, which is an online guide to resources. They also help with setting up a private bank account and act as a mediator in disputes with joint accounts that don’t involve you and your partner/ex being in the same room together. This was a big help to me when I couldn’t get my ex to agree to meet and close our joint account
Commonwealth Bank operates similar to NAB but with a Next Chapter specialist. They are bank staff who are specially trained to support customers dealing with domestic or financial abuse.
Westpac offers similar support, including the ability to extend any loan or repayment schedules to help people leaving abuse. They have rolled out a new online banking tool that allows people to report abuse or harassment in payment descriptions and click a report button to have it flagged and reviewed.
ANZ can also be made aware of abuse via payment descriptions and stop data sharing.
Some online sources will tell you these banks can grant you funds in order to flee. This is partially correct. Working with designated services, NAB and Uniting Care, for example, can sometimes help with things like bond payments and counselling.
If you have questions about grants or funding from your bank, and can find a safe time to call, they will have someone in their customer service area with specific skills help you navigate this changing part of your life with compassion and empathy.
DON’T MISS: How to Leave an Abusive Relationship: Everything You Need to Know
$5,000 Escaping Violence Payment
The Escaping Violence Payment consists of $1,500 in cash, and $3,500 for goods and services like removalists, bonds, furniture etc and a time-limited caseworker to help facilitate services.
While a $5,000 payment to help you escape a violent situation and start again sounds great, this payment has been met with disappointment and disdain and calls for it to be reviewed and increased as we face an unprecedented epidemic of violence against women in Australia.
Only 36% of applicants for the escaping violence payment, piloted in 2022, met eligibility requirements and received the assistance. Another 33% withdrew their claims, 7% are still being assessed and almost a quarter of all applicants were deemed ineligible.
You can apply by yourself or through a support worker. You must meet all criteria. Eligibility requirements include:
- Being an Australian citizen over 18 years of age (including permanent resident holder and protected visa)
- You must be planning to change or have changed your living arrangements within the last 12 months, including leaving the home, or residing in the home and the abuser has left.
- You also have to have experienced violent behaviour within the 12 weeks prior to applying for the payment or experienced intimate partner violence where the relationship has ended.
- You must also be experiencing financial stress, including being unable to meet financial commitments and financial independence.
- Violent or threatening behaviour includes physical, verbal, sexual, psychological, emotional, spiritual, financial abuse or threats, coercion and seeking to control or dominate a partner.
- You may be required to provide evidence of an escape/safety plan, have a referral from a DFV support worker or DVO/affidavits from the police.
It can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks depending on how many applicants they have. More information can be found in the Escaping Violence Payment Client Booklet.
Domestic Violence Help through Government Websites
Quick Exit Feature
All of these websites have a ‘quick exit’ feature, usually located around the edges of the page and if anyone looking at a website is in an unsafe situation, they simply click the icon, and it takes you back to a blank Google page.
These are factored into websites to protect people from retaliation by abusive partners who also can’t spy on their victim’s online activity.
Domestic Violence Help in Person
Most community organisations like Catholic Care, Mission Australia etc have people there who can help victims in time of need.
Most police stations have a Domestic Violence Liaison Officer who is trained to help people experiencing domestic and family violence. If your abuser is a police officer, this might not be an option for you, and accessing information or assistance is all about keeping you safe.
Additional Resources/Websites to Assist
It takes a lot of courage to leave an abusive situation. Plan well, have a support system, and be kind to yourself.
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