We’re proud to have published the first research paper from our five-year partnership with Monash University: ‘Addressing Financial Abuse in Australian Small Businesses: The Role of Industry Stakeholders’.
Through our work supporting victim-survivors of business-related financial abuse (BRFA), we see how perpetrators exploit financial, legal and regulatory systems, causing extreme harm to their partner. Often carried out through fraud or manipulation, this leaves victim-survivors without support or pathways to recover.
Conducted via a research roundtable, the study examined gaps in how institutions identify this form of family violence, the role they must play in a national response, and what’s needed to strengthen prevention and early identification.
It brought together perspectives from organisations across the finance sector, peak bodies, and government agencies to understand how the issue is seen and responded to in practice.
The findings highlighted a range of challenges, including limited awareness of BRFA, uncertainty of the red flags, and structural or regulatory barriers that limit action.
In our experience, these challenges reflect the complexity of victim-survivors’ circumstances. Financial abuse in business is often hidden and complicated, sitting in grey areas that make it extremely difficult to address.
This study highlights the need for stronger education across key stakeholders, along with greater awareness within the community. As one participant noted, “If [people] don’t have that foundational financial literacy, they’re not going to see [financial abuse] until we’re at crisis point.”
While many institutions are well placed to identify risk and act earlier, they require system-level support to do this well. This includes regulatory reform, stronger cross-sector collaboration, and investment in community organisations like Each, which provide frontline education and insights.
Julie Dal Pra, Advisor – Business Related Financial Abuse at Each and co-author of the paper, explained, “The evidence shows that financial institutions, government, and professional services are well positioned to make a difference.
“Immediate action, coordination, and investment are needed, with a funded national specialist service led by Each to coordinate responses, strengthen sector capability, and provide support for victim-survivors.”
As the first research paper from our partnership with Monash University, this study is an important step forward, strengthening our understanding of BRFA and what’s needed to prevent it.
