King & Wood Mallesons (KWM) is proud to partner with Redfern Legal Centre (RLC) in addition to American Express, PwC Australia and Ashurst to launch the first state-wide service in New South Wales that will address financial abuse in intimate partner relationships.
The Financial Abuse Service NSW was established in response to high levels of unmet legal need identified through RLC's Credit and Debt and Domestic Violence practices.
"Financial abuse is an insidious form of domestic abuse where a person uses money to exert power and control over their partner," RLC's Financial Abuse Team Leader, Laura Bianchi said.
King & Wood Mallesons will provide legal support for the service, coordinated by the firm's Community Impact Group. Additional assistance will be provided by other corporate partners to assist people in crisis through free legal support as well as guiding government and industry responses to this widespread but under-reported form of violence.
Head of Community and Pro Bono at KWM, Dan Creasey, said: "The strategic vision for KWM is to reduce inequality and to reduce poverty, particularly amongst children and young people. There is obviously a very strong connection between financial abuse, domestic violence and poverty, so we're really interested to be involved."
"We are extremely excited to be partnering with such forward thinking and innovative corporations and government to be delivering this life saving service," RLC CEO Joanna Shulman said.
The Financial Abuse Service NSW is being launched today, 5 December, at the Redfern Legal Centre. Learn more at: bit.ly/finabusensw