INTHEBLACK May 2025 - Magazine - Page 27
In Australia, around one in six
women and one in 12 men are
victims of financial abuse
from a partner.
The ATO was recently
externally reviewed to examine
possible relief from tax debt
for victims of financial abuse.
Accountants and finance
professionals can help
identify warning signs
that may indicate abuse.
Financial
abuse
hidden in
plain sight
Financial abuse often operates under the radar, leaving victim
survivors burdened with enormous financial and emotional debt.
Here is how accounting and finance professionals can recognise
the signs — and what to do when they see them.
Words Megan Breen
WHEN JULIE DAL PRA THINKS
about the complex issue of economic abuse,
it is often fraud, deception and manipulation
that come to mind.
As a small business financial counsellor
at community health service Each, Dal Pra
sees many instances of the unlawful control
of money and finances, ranging from signing
someone up as a director of a company
without their knowledge to lodging a false
income tax return.
“I often say this kind of financial abuse
is hidden in plain sight,” Dal Pra says.
This includes moving assets or money
around, putting liabilities in the victim’s
name while the perpetrator keeps the assets
intheblack.cpaaustralia.com.au 27
