How to identify and support women facing economic abuse

Why is economic abuse hard to identify? 

The study highlights how difficult it is to identify and support financially vulnerable women experiencing domestic and family violence. A/Prof. Kayis-Kumar explained: “The most worrying trend has been the consistently increasing rate of self-reported domestic and family violence amongst the study participants.  

“Our research finds that clients are more likely to report domestic and family violence when they are Indigenous, experiencing mental health problems, physical disability, and have tax debts (as opposed to tax issues related to disputes, lodgements, or general questions).” 

Economic abuse is already recognised in much of the domestic and family violence legislation across Australia, and recent initiatives like the National Principles to Address Coercive Control highlight the progress in the context of coercive control specifically. Starting July 2024, coercive control will be a criminal offence in NSW. However, there is still a noticeable gap in addressing coercive control within the tax system, which needs to be addressed in policy development and law design.  

Prof. Breckenridge explained that, unfortunately, many women themselves may not identify their experience as domestic and family violence. “This is particularly the case where there is a strict gendered division of financial management within the relationship, or where there is dependence on partners/adult children as carers (disability and older people), or there is an expectation of resource sharing amongst family members (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and some culturally and linguistically diverse communities).” 

A/Prof. Kayis-Kumar added: “At the start of our project, we anticipated that this research would help identify women who were experiencing economic abuse but were not aware that this constituted domestic and family violence (who we could then link to support services).  

“Instead, we found that all women experiencing economic abuse also self-reported domestic and family violence. So what was most worrying was that – despite knowing that they were experiencing domestic and family violence, very few were seeking support. Even fewer opted to be referred to a support service by the clinic. This highlights the complicated and insidious nature of economic abuse,” she said. 

What support is available to women experiencing economic abuse? 

Pro bono tax clinics can help identify women experiencing domestic and family violence and refer them to specialist domestic and family violence support services they might not be aware of and would otherwise not access. 

Currently, the ATO lacks the legislative means to provide relief from tax debts on the grounds of economic abuse. This deficiency sharply contrasts with the US, where 'innocent spouse relief’ has been a pivotal provision since 1971. Some of the co-authors in related research have described Australia’s existing hardship provisions as ‘outdated and in urgent need of reform’.   

“There is a research gap in the Australian context on whether affording relief from tax debts on the grounds of economic abuse and economic hardship would have the potential to improve client outcomes and financial wellbeing and improve long-term trajectories of financially vulnerable taxpayers,” said A/Prof. Kayis-Kumar.  

This is the subject of ongoing research by the co-authors. In the meantime, the researchers have proposed four key policy recommendations: 

1. Increased tax literacy targeted at women 

Recognising the importance of tax literacy in combating economic abuse, the researchers have called for targeted public awareness campaigns to empower women by educating them about the nuances of coercive control within the tax system. The recommendation suggests establishing educational programs in collaboration with educational institutions and community organisations, offering tailored in-community workshops, seminars, and online resources to address women's specific needs. 

2. Increased scale of support services 

Acknowledging the likelihood of widespread need, the researchers have also emphasised the urgent expansion of free tax clinics to specifically prioritise and support victim-survivors of economic abuse. The focus is on marginalised cohorts, particularly single parents, low-income earners, and women with disabilities. The proposed collaboration with the community sector aims to address unmet tax and accounting needs effectively. 

3. Strengthening collaboration to prevent system abuse 

Reports of tax system abuse are identified as a significant challenge. To counteract this, the researchers recommended strengthening collaboration and information sharing between the ATO and Services Australia. This entails the implementation of comprehensive data-sharing agreements, balancing privacy concerns with the imperative of maintaining the integrity of the tax and transfer system. 

4. Implementation of regulatory and legislative solutions 

Inspired by the innocent spouse relief provisions in the US, the researchers suggested assessing the feasibility and appropriateness of introducing a similar framework in Australia. While recognising the uniqueness of each system, Australia could adapt successful elements from the US, complementing the government’s efforts to implement coercive control legislation. This is the subject of ongoing work by the researchers. 

Implementing these recommendations would catalyse a pivotal transformation in Australia's tax laws, underscoring the necessity for a more compassionate and trauma-informed approach adopted in the design and administration of the tax system. The researchers have said these changes go beyond a plea for justice; they are a demand to safeguard the well-being of women experiencing economic abuse.  

If you found any content in this article distressing, please contact 1800 RESPECT or Lifeline on 13 11 14.