Advocates push New Zealand reforms to recognise and curb economic abuse

Good Shepherd New Zealand, together with the National Collective of Independent Women's Refuges, has released a set of recommendations aimed at reforming how economic abuse is addressed in Aotearoa. Their proposal seeks to amend the Credit Contracts and Consumer Finance Act to prevent perpetrators from weaponising joint financial obligations and to add economic abuse to the legal definition of violence in the Family Violence Act.

Additional measures include survivor grants, safeguards against benefit-fraud charges for sole-parent benefits, and giving victims priority in child-support cases, as well as eligibility for non-means-tested legal aid. Advocates stress that many people experiencing controlling financial behaviour do not recognise it as abuse, limiting their ability to seek assistance. The campaign will involve letters to relevant MPs and ministers, with an emphasis on raising public awareness during the pre-election period. Estimates suggest separating from an abusive partner can cost around $10,000, underscoring the financial barrier to leaving violence.