Domestic violence and financial abuse
Domestic violence can sneak up on anyone and is often tangled up with financial abuse. You're not alone. We'll help you through it.
Get the help you need
- Emergencies: call 000 if you’re in immediate danger
- 24/7 counselling: Call 1800 737 732 or go to 1800RESPECT
- Priority Assist team: call us on 1800 676 770 for assistance during tough times. Our caring and experienced team members will listen to your situation and help you take steps to protect your finances.
What are the potential red flags?
Control
- Keeping tabs on someone’s location or spending
- Restricting access to money and withholding from essentials
- Sending abusive messages via payment descriptions
- Excluding someone from financial decisions
- Preventing ability to earn money
Coercion
- Pressuring someone to hand over access to bank accounts or open new joint accounts
- Making someone foot the bill for another person's expenses or debts
- Forcing someone to co-sign a loan or become a guarantor
- Threats of or enacting physical or emotional harm
Theft
- Using someone else's money or assets without their permission
- Forging the signature of someone else
- Stealing someone's identity
What’s domestic violence?
Domestic and family violence happens when someone uses actions or threats to control or overpower a current or former family member or intimate partner. It can involve money, emotions, physical harm, or sexual abuse. It’s all about scaring, intimidating, or hurting someone to keep control. Domestic violence can continue long after leaving a family situation.
To learn more about coercive control, check out the Australian Government’s Understanding Coercive Control Factsheet.
What’s financial abuse?
Financial abuse is when someone tries to control your financial decisions for their own benefit or misuses your money, property, or assets without your permission.
Some people might be more at risk of financial abuse, especially if they’re:
- Going through a breakup or separation.
- Relying on others for daily care or social contact due to health issues or aging. Learn more about elder financial abuse.
Steps to help protect against domestic violence and financial abuse
Remember to always contact the police if you think you’re experiencing domestic violence and/or financial abuse.
Here are some straightforward steps you can take to protect yourself from domestic violence and financial abuse. These can be done online, or you can call our Priority Assist team on 1800 676 770 if you need a hand.
Update your contact details
Stay in the loop and contactable by updating your contact details like your phone number and address.
Reset passwords and pins
Prevent unwanted access to Internet Banking or accounts by changing your password, and debit and credit card PIN.
Open your own account
Having your own account means financial independence and will allow you start building a safety net.
Adjust limits
Applying limits on cards and cash withdrawals can help you control spending. To change your debit card limit, call us or visit a branch.
Manage your money
Setting up push notifications, cancelling a direct debit and applying a gambling block can help you stay in control and alert to any changes.
Report abuse via the app
Report abusive messages received as a payment description in the Mobile Banking App. In your transaction details, select ‘report inappropriate content.’
How can we assist?
It's a courageous move to seek help to stop domestic violence and financial abuse. When you reach out to us, your safety and privacy are our top priorities.
You can securely and confidentially reach out to us on 1800 676 770. Our dedicated team members are here to understand your circumstances and help you take safe and practical actions to protect your money and financial well-being. We may be able to assist you with:
Hardship assistance
We offer options like adjusting your loan repayments, so you can focus on your safety and plan your next steps without extra financial stress. More on financial hardship
Getting on top of debt
Think about freezing your current debt position by cancelling redraw options on a home loan or extra credit cards where you're the main cardholder.
Keeping your money safe
Keep your joint accounts safe by making them "all to sign" and review any third-party authorities so money cannot be taken without your approval.
Separating your finances
Separation can hit hard financially and can cause financial abuse. We're here to assist you with untangling your finances from those of your family member, so you can stand on your own two feet. Achieving financial independence can make the difference between staying in or leaving an abusive situation.
Resources and assistance beyond banking
1800 RESPECT
Assists you or someone you know who is impacted by sexual assault, domestic or family violence.
Call 1800 737 732
Lifeline
Provides 24-hour crisis support and suicide prevention services for Australians experiencing a personal crisis.
Call 13 11 14
13 YARN
Service available 24 hours/7 days to talk with an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Crisis Supporter.
Call 13 92 76
No to Violence Men’s Referral Service
Anonymous and confidential telephone counselling, information and referrals for men to assist with preventing violent and controlling behaviour.
Call 1300 766 491
Qlife
LGBTIQ+ peer support and referral for people in Australia wanting to talk about sexuality, identity, gender, bodies, feelings or relationships.
Call 1800 184 527
The National Disability Abuse and Neglect Hotline
Reporting Hotline for abuse or neglect of people with disability.
Call 1800 880 052
National Debt Helpline
Offers free, independent, confidential financial counselling for those worried about their financial situation.
Call 1800 007 007
Full Stop Australia
Provides free 24/7 telephone and online counselling for those who have experienced violence or abuse.
Call 1800 385 578
CWES Money Clinics
1:1 financial information and planning sessions with a qualified, female, financial specialist who is violence-and trauma-informed.
Call 1800 730 031
Easy English guide
This Easy English guide explains how to get help if you’re experiencing domestic violence and/or financial abuse.
Download Easy English Financial Abuse and Domestic Violence guide (PDF 1MB)
Learn more
Elder financial abuse
Financial hardship
Fraud and scams
Important information
BankSA’s approach to providing extra care for customers in vulnerable circumstances is guided by the Australian Banking Association's Banking Code of Practice. Links to the relevant industry guidelines are below:
Preventing and responding to family and domestic violence
Preventing and responding to financial abuse (including elder financial abuse)
Responding to requests from a POA or court-appointed administrator
This information is general in nature and has been prepared without taking your personal objectives, circumstances and needs and into account. You should consider the appropriateness of the information to your own circumstances and, if necessary, seek appropriate professional advice.