Essential First Steps to re-establishing financial security FINANCIAL ABUSE is a form of DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. DOMESTIC VIOLENCE is a CRIME. The Family Violence Protection Act 2008 states that women and their children can be protected from the following forms of family violence: physical, sexual, emotional/psychological, racial, economic and spiritual or cultural abuse. Contents To prevent identity theft & to keep your financial information safe please keep this booklet in a secure location. Priority First Contacts ................................................. Access and Security ................................................... Access and Security Quotes and Help Lines ................. Essential Documents .................................................. Other Help Lines ........................................................ Bank Accounts ........................................................... Bank Accounts Quotes and Help Lines ......................... Mortgage and Rent .................................................... Mortgage and Rent Quotes and Help Lines ................. Housing Help Lines .................................................... Accessing Services ..................................................... Legal Quotes and Help Lines ....................................... Legal Help Lines ......................................................... Finances .................................................................. Financial Quotes and Help Lines ................................. Health and Wellbeing ................................................ Health and Wellbeing Quotes and Help Lines .............. 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 Refugee/Multicultural Services Help Lines .................... 19 Aboriginal Services Help Lines .................................... 20 Centrelink/Child Support ............................................ 21 Centrelink/Child Support Quotes and Help Lines .......... 22 Vehicle/Superannuation ............................................ 23 Vehicle Quotes .......................................................... 24 Insurance .................................................................. 25 Insurance Quotes ....................................................... 26 Wills/Powers of Attorney ........................................... 27 Wills/Powers of Attorney Quotes and Help Lines ......... 28 My Financial Goals ................................................... 29 Financial Quotes and Help Lines ................................. 30 My Personal Goals .................................................... 31 The Future ................................................................. 32 Notes ....................................................................... 33 Final Quotes .............................................................. 34 This booklet will help you protect your assets and money during separation and assist you to disentangle financially from an ex-partner. It also alerts you to some of the things to avoid in future relationships. It is hard to say, ‘No, I am not giving you my pin number,’ but sometimes we have to set up our finances carefully to protect ourselves and our children. If any of these steps do not apply cross them out. Featured throughout this booklet are quotes from famous individuals, from sector workers and from women who have experienced violence - in particular financial abuse - from an ex-partner. These quotes are not meant to be taken as legal information but are given as points you may want to consider along your journey. PRIORITY FIRST CONTACTS Women’s Domestic Violence Crisis Service of Victoria 1800 015 188 (24 hours) www.wdvcs.org.au National Sexual Assault & Family Violence Counselling Service 1800 737 732 (24 hours) www.1800respect.org.au Aboriginal Family Violence Prevention & Legal Service Vic 1800 105 303 www.fvpls.org Centres Against Sexual Assault Victoria 1800 806 292 (24 hours) www.casa.org.au Centrelink Social Worker 13 17 94 www.humanservices.gov.au/customer/dhs/centrelink Child Support Info Service 13 11 07 (24 hours) www.humanservices.gov.au/customer/enablers/child-support/child-support-info-service Child Support Agency Enquiry Line 13 12 72 www.csa.gov.au National Financial Counselling Hot Line - 1800 007 007. To locate your free local financial counsellor go to www.moneysmart.gov.au/managing-my-money/managing-debts/financial-counselling Vic Legal Aid 1800 677 402 Provides free legal information over the phone and depending on your personal circumstances you may be able to see a lawyer for free legal advice. www.legalaid.vic.gov.au Community Legal Centres provide free legal info. To locate your local community legal centre go to www.naclc.org.au/clc_directory.php Council of Single mothers and their Children Support Line - 1300 552 511. Provides support, information and referral. www.csmc.org.au No Interest Loans - NILS. To locate your local services go to www.goodshepherdmicrofinance.org.au/find-provider Family Relationship Advice Line 1800 050 321. Provide information and services that can assist with family relationship issues, including dispute resolution and mediation. www.familyrelationships.gov.au Relationships Australia 1300 364 277. Provide a broad range of services and referrals. www.relationships.com.au 2 Access and Security Name of Company Phone Email Website Contact person Date contacted Reference Number Change pins on all bank accounts (phone/internet). Change passwords for internet accounts, banking, shopping. Secure your mailing address (consider friends, family, PO Box) You may choose to clear your internet history. Stop any authority your partner may have over your Centrelink payment. Check with mobile phone provider that you can not be tracked via the phone. 3 Follow up required? When? Notes, Tips, Suggestions... Done ‘Life isn’t about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself.’ - George Bernard Shaw ‘He had complete control over my Centrelink payments. I didn’t realise this was another form of domestic violence!’. ‘Be aware that if your partner is the authorised person for your Centrelink payments he will also receive a copy of any letter sent to you from Centrelink .’ ‘Use only secure computers or devices to make financial transactions.’ ‘Standing alone doesn’t mean I‘m alone , it means I’m strong enough to handle things all by myself.’ Centrepay is a free bill-paying service for people receiving Centrelink payments. You can arrange to pay your bills on line at www.humanservices.gov.au/onlineservices Or by ringing Centrelink 136 150 4 ESSENTIAL DOCUMENTS Ensure that you have copies or originals of important documents. Type Located & Secure Yes/No Birth certificates for you and your children Marriage certificate Passports Driver’s Licence Centrelink paperwork Medicare Card/Health Care Card Medical records for you and your children Any essential medical prescriptions Wills/Prenuptial agreements Immigration paperwork House/Contents Insurance Health Insurance/Life Insurance/Ambulance/Funeral Insurance Utility Bills Vehicle registrations Bank Statements/Credit Card Statements/Cheque book Children’s savings account details Title documents/Mortgage Contract Superannuation details Payslips Credit Rating Report List of referees for rental purposes Any essential business documents Accountant Debit/ Credit Card 5 ‘He coerced me into claiming single parenting payment when we were actually living together. We got caught out, he disappeared and now I’m the one with a HUGE debt.’ Social Security Rights 1800 094 164 Provides specialist information advocacy and casework support in the area of Welfare Rights and Social Security law, including domestic violence exemptions policy and practice. www.ssrv.org.au Victims of Crime 1800 819 817 Provides information and referral www.victimsofcrime.vic.gov.au Victims of Crime Helpline 1800 819 817 The Victims of Crime Helpline can refer you to your local Victims Assistance and Counselling Program. They can provide practical support in assisting you to make a police report and communicating with police; assisting with accommodation options, transport and medical services; short term counselling; finding support groups and services like lawyers or legal aid; providing information about what happens in court and support with processes like Victims Impact Statements and applying to the Victims of Crime Assistance Tribunal for counselling and financial assistance. www.justice.vic.gov.au/home/victims 6 Bank Accounts Name of Company Phone Email Website Contact person Date contacted Ref Number Follow up required? When? Notes, Tips, Suggestions... Cancel any secondary cards on your accounts (credit, store, saving or other). Open new acct. first and notify Centrelink of the new number before closing old account. Open new credit/debit card account if your ex-partner has current details. Freeze or close joint accounts where possible/desirable. Cancel partner’s direct debit bills still being paid out of joint account or your account. Ensure incoming money goes to an account you control (eg. Wages, Medicare Rebates). Check for any unnecessary direct debits e.g. Christmas hamper. 7 Done ‘You never fail until you stop trying.’ Albert Einstein ‘If you are paying your ex-partner his share of a bank account that you are closing, make sure you do it with a bank cheque , as this is proof that you have paid him.’ ‘Whenever I tried to talk to my ex about money he got angry. I thought it was me , but my DV worker told me it was all about POWER and CONTROL.’ ‘My savings are so important. If I went into a new relationship again I would not disclose that I had savings, as I don’t want to share that money if we break up. I need to think of my children’s future .’ Financial Ombudsman Service 1300 780 808 www.fos.org.au. Provides impartial dispute resolution. The Australian Bankers Association provides a number of informative booklets including Making the Most of Your Money and Know Your Banking Rights and Responsibilities. To order a free hard copy ring 1800 009 180 or go to: www.bankers.asn. au/Consumers/Booklets For fact sheets about financial hardship go to: www.bankers.asn.au/Consumers/Are-you-experiencing-financialdifficulty- 8 Mortgage Name of Company Phone Email Website Contact person Date contacted Ref Number Follow up required? When? Notes, Tips, Suggestions... Done Follow up required? When? Notes, Tips, Suggestions... Done Seek legal advice re property settlement/ division of assets as a priority. Change terms to needing both signatures if you have a joint redraw (line of credit) mortgage. Rent Name of Company Phone Email Website Contact person Date contacted Ref Number Change relevant names on any tenancy agreements. 9 ‘Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.’ Winston Churchill ‘The financial counsellor helped me to talk to the bank and arrange for hardship provisions for my mortgage .’ Dept of Human Services 1300 650 172. Provide bonds in certain circumstances - check your eligibility by going to: www.dhs.vic.gov.au/for-individuals/housing-and-accommodation/private-renter-assistance/bond-loan-scheme Office of Housing Vic 1300 650 172. To locate your local Housing Office go to: www.dhs.vic.gov.au/for-individuals/housing-and-accommodation/ public-housing/local-housing-offices Every bank have specialist financial hardship teams. To find the number for the Financial Hardship Team for your bank go to: www.doingittough.info/content/how-do-i-contact-my-bank For disability contact information and support: 1800 783 783 10 Mortgage Relief Scheme 1800 134 872. Provides short-term interest-free loans to help you keep up your home loan repayments after an unavoidable decrease in your income. Certain eligibility requirements need to be met. www.dhs.vic.gov.au/for-individuals/housing-and-accommodation/home-owner-support/mortgage-relief Financial Ombudsman Service 1300 780 808. Provides impartial dispute resolution. www.fos.org.au Consumer Affairs Vic 1300 558 181. Provides conciliation between tenants and landlords and ensures compliance with consumer laws. www.consumer.vic.gov.au Tenant’s Union of Victoria 0394 162 577. Provides free and confidential advice to tenants in Victoria. www.tuv.org.au Vic Civil & Admin Tribunal 1800 133 055. www.vcat.vic.gov.au Tenants Union Victoria provides free and confidential advice to tenants and residents renting in Victoria. www.tuv.org.au Homeless Crisis Line - 1800 825 955. 11 Accessing services - what women say ‘It feels like on one side there is anxiety and depression and on the other is commitment and responsibility… with what I have been through I am so stuck in the shit, and I find it so hard to turn up for an appointment… it is not that I don’t want to help myself, it is more that I get so overwhelmed and don’t know where to start, I can’t get out the door and so I let people down , then I feel bad , they think I don’t want things to change , so they give up on me and the cycle continues…’ ‘There is a mythology that women who experience family violence have not managed money well or had assets in the past – I felt patronised . They didn’t give me credit for the fact that I had owned property in the past, I have business experience … I felt like I was less than , and that hurt.’ 12 Legal ‘Seek legal advice as a priority and the sooner you get help the better.’ ‘In my work I have seen instances of an ex using intimidation to get money. The victim will not report this as a breach of the Intervention Order as they do not see it as family violence and a reportable offence against the IVO. The perpetrator can use all sorts of things as intimidation , including “I will report you to Centrelink” to get the victim to cooperate .’ ‘He took a huge cash withdrawal out of my credit card then hid some in his TAB account and gave the rest to his Church to hold for 12 months until settlement went through . I found this out much later.’ Legal Aid Victoria 1800 677 402 www.legalaid.vic.gov.au Women’s Legal Service Victoria 1800 133 302 www.womenslegal.org.au The Law Handbook can be downloaded from: www.lawhandbook.org.au/handbook.php Community Legal Centres 0396 521 500. To find your local Community Legal Centre www.communitylaw.org.au 13 Consumer Action Law Centre 1300 881 020. Provides free legal advice and representation to vulnerable and disadvantaged consumers across Victoria. http://online.fines.vic.gov.au/fines/ Court Network Vic 1800 681 614. Provides personal support, information and referral to persons attending court and to advocate for the needs of all court users. www.courtnetwork.com.au Family Law Court 1300 352 000. Provides information on legal procedure but not legal advice. www.familycourt.gov.au Legal Services Commissioner. 1300 796 344 Independent agency responsible for handling complaints about lawyers in Victoria. www.lsc.vic.gov.au Law Institute of Victoria to find a lawyer www.liv.asn.au Deal with fines as a matter of urgency – for comprehensive advice and help lines go to: www.online.fines.vic.gov.au/fines 14 Finances Name of Company Phone Email Website Contact person Date contacted Ref Number Explore the tax implications of separation for you with an accountant OR financial counsellor. Notify Australian Tax Office of any change in account details for tax reimbursement purposes. Credit Provider (credit card, personal loan, car loan) Credit Report 15 Follow up required? When? Notes, Tips, Suggestions... Done ‘Isn’t it nice to think that tomorrow is a new day with no mistakes in it yet?’ L.M. Montgomery ‘The financial counsellor helped me to get Intensive Assistance from the Tax Office . They were really helpful .’ Financial Counsellors are NOT Financial Planners. Financial Counsellors are free, and provide a confidential and independent service to assist people to organise finances and do a budget. They can negotiate repayment arrangements with creditors, apply for a hardship variation and help you maximise your income. My financial counsellor (has been) very helpful, approachable, most importantly very understanding and non-judgemental. She (has) eased my burden a lot. I Wish I’d Known Sooner - The impact of Financial Counselling and Debt Resolution and Personal Wellbeing. Swinburne University of Technology. NAB StepUP Loan - Low interest (3.99%) loan of up to $3000. Must have a Centrelink concession card or Family Tax Benefit Part A. Credit check required. http:// goodshepherdmicrofinance.org.au/ services/stepup-low-interest-loans National Financial Counselling Hot Line 1800 007 007. To find your local financial counsellor go to ANZ Saver Plus - Every dollar saved up to $500 matched. For eligibility requirements & to find your local contact ring 1300 610 355 NAB ADDS UP Savings Plan - Save a minimum of $300 and have every dollar after this matched to a total of $500. Must have repaid a NILS loan & have a current Centrelink concession card or Family Tax Benefit A. http:/ goodshepherdmicrofinance.org.au/services/ addsupmatched-savings-plan Money Smart www. moneysmart.gov.au is a www.financialcounsellingaustralia.org. au/Corporate/Find-a-Counsellor Government funded website that has lots of useful financial information and advice. A good credit rating is desirable when applying for a loan or signing up for a utility account. You can get a free credit report at: www.checkyourcredit.com. au/Resources/Forms/ 16 Health and Wellbeing Name Phone (e.g. Pack some vegemite sandwiches and walk with prams to park and back.) Friend/worker to assist with wellbeing issues Friend/worker to assist with Health issues Friend/worker to assist with Financial issues Friend/worker to assist with Legal issues Friend/worker to assist with Housing issues Friend/worker to assist with Child Support issues Check up with GP/Women’s Health Nurse Support groups: gambling, alcohol, drugs, mental health Someone impartial to talk to Notes, Tips, Suggestions... Local Community Health Service GROW - Mental Health Support Group WIRE - Women’s Info Centre Rural Support Line Council of Single Mothers (Outside Melbourne local call cost) .................................... 1800 558 268 1300 134 130 1300 655 969 (03) 9654 0622 1300 552 511 17 ‘Friends are SOO important at this time . I had my friend who went to the bank with me , another friend helped me with Centrelink and another with Child Support. They were able to come to the appointments and remember things I needed to know, because my head was in another place .’ ‘If you don’t look after yourself - you can’t look after your kids.’ To find your local Community Health Service go to: www.health.vic.gov.au/pch/commhealth/directory.htm Women’s Health Information Line at the Royal Women’s Hospital 1800 442 007 www.thewomens.org.au Women’s Health Services cover Victoria. To locate your nearest service go to: www.whv.org.au/publications-resources/ health-information-links National Association for Loss & Grief Vic 1800 100 023 www.nalagvic.org.au Vic Health Services Commissioner 1800 136 066 An independent statutory authority to receive and resolve complaints about health service providers. www.health.vic.gov.au/hsc/ 18 Refugee/Multicultural In Touch Multicultural Centre Against Family Violence 1800 755 988 www.intouch.asn.au Multicultural Centre for Women’s Health 1800 656 421 www.mcwh.com.au Murray Valley Sanctuary Refugee Group-Albury Wodonga. Provides interest free loans to refugees for airfares and settlement expenses. http://murrayvalleysanctuary.org.au Australian Muslim Women’s Centre for Human Rights 03 9481 3000 www.ausmuslimwomenscentre.org.au Refugee & Immigration Legal Centre 03 9413 0100 www.rilc.org.au Ethnic Communities Council of Victoria 03 9349 4122 www.eccv.org.au Translating & Interpreting Service 13 14 50 Red Cross Victoria 1800 131 701 www.redcross.org.au Dept. of Immigration National Enquiries Line 131 881 Check the following link to see if you are eligible for learning English classes. www.immi.gov.au/living-in-australia/help-with-english/amep/learning-english/eligibility.htm Adult Migrant English Service 1300 26 37 www.ames.net.au Speak to a Centrelink employee in your language by calling 13 12 02 19 Aboriginal contacts Aboriginal Family Violence Prevention & Legal Service Victoria 1800 105 303 www.fvpls.org ‘...And she’s sick and tired of walking into doors. Her gentle spirit Women’s Domestic Violence Crisis Service of Victoria 1800 015 188 (24 hours) www.wdvcs.org.au her sacred way and her smile may not be here she may disappear in a little while . Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service 1800 064 865 www.vals.org.au Sister moon , sister girl and given birth . Mother nature Victorian Aboriginal Health Service 03 9419 3000 www.vahs.org.au mother of pearl and mother earth . Sweet mother earth .’ Centrelink Indigenous Call Centre 136 380 (Archie Roach) 20 Centrelink/Child Support Agency Name of Company Phone Email Website Contact person Date contacted Ref Number Follow up required? When? Notes, Tips, Suggestions... Done Apply for exemption for child support if necessary.* Use your mobile/calendar to remind you about renewal of exemption (12 months). Check eligibility for Crisis Payment from Centrelink. You have only 7 days to do so after separation. Ask for a Centrelink Social Worker to help you negotiate financial and other issues. Centrelink Family Assistance Office 13 61 50 Centrelink 13 17 94 * This is known as the ‘Maintenance Action Test’ and it can impact on your Family Payments. Be informed about collection options such as Private Collect and possible exemptions such as Partial Exemption before entering into an agreement. Legal advice is advisable. 21 ‘According to anecdotal information , if you do not disclose family violence to Child Support Agency you will not be given information regarding Participation Exemptions from job search activities and the processes that are involved . And then often if Participation Exemptions are put in place , they are under ‘special circumstances’ which can be up to 13 weeks or shorter periods, rather than ‘family violence’ exemption which is a 16 week exemption period .’ If your ex-partner has the child/children for one night a week – 24% of his Child Support obligations will be negated. In the process of a reassessment the child support agency may reveal details to your ex-partner via the Change of Assessment (COA) Form - that may show your or your children’s location/ details (e.g. school receipts). Child Support can be paid beyond 18 years of age, if the child is still in secondary school and a special application is made before the child turns 18 - all details on the CSA website www.csaonline.gov.au ‘If not specified in the contact agreement, the woman can be left with the responsibility and financial costs of transporting children for ex-partners access!’ Parentline - Victoria 132 289 www.education.vic.gov.au/about/contact/Pages/parentline 22 Vehicle Name of Company Phone Email Website Contact person Date contacted Ref Number Follow up required? When? Notes, Tips, Suggestions... Done Transfer ownership/registration of vehicles. Change contact details for insurance purposes. Check details regarding RACV membership. Superannuation (If you have more than one Superanuation fund, consider rolling into one fund) Name of Company Phone Email Website Contact person Date contacted Ref Number Change the beneficiaries for your superannuation fund(s). 23 Follow up required? When? Notes, Tips, Suggestions... Done ‘If you can’t fly then run. If you can’t run then walk. If you can’t walk then crawl, but whatever you do you have to keep moving forward.’ Martin Luther King Jr. ‘The car may be in his name but don’t think you just have to hand it over. Get legal advice , as in my situation I relied on it to take the children to school , so he couldn’t take it from me .’ ‘Because I had a pension card I was able to pay my registration every six months instead of the big bill at the end of twelve months.’ 24 Insurance Change of of beneficiaries and scope of cover Name of Company Phone Email Website Contact person Date contacted Ref Number Home Building &/or Contents Insurance Car Insurance Health Insurance Life Insurance Ambulance Cover Funeral Insurance 25 Follow up required? When? Notes, Tips, Suggestions... Done ‘What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.’ - Ralph Waldo Emerson ‘I was paying $50 a fortnight for funeral insurance . I didn’t realise that if I didn’t die till I was 70years old my funeral would have cost me $52,000! So I changed to a Funeral Bond .’ To find out more about funeral bonds go to: www.afda.org.au/faq/funeral-bonds ‘Domestic Violence in whatever form consumes a woman’s time and energy and damages selfconfidence and ability to focus on long and short term goals, all of which are essential for successful transition from economic dependency to building economic resources of her own’. (Sanders and Shnebel 2007, as cited in MacDonald:2012; P21) 26 Wills Name of Company Phone Email Website Contact person Date contacted Ref Number Follow up required? When? Notes, Tips, Suggestions... Done Notes, Tips, Suggestions... Done Make or change your will (including nominating a guardian if other than ex-partner). Check inheritance details. Power of Attorney Name of Company Phone Email Website Contact person Date contacted Ref Number Cancel any Powers of Attorney that your ex-partner may have over you with help from a financial counsellor, lawyer or download www.publicadvocate.vic.gov. au/file/file/Powerofattorney/ Revocation_of_General_ Power_of_Attorney_Form.pdf 27 Follow up required? When? ‘If blended families are involved it is important to consult a lawyer. ‘Will Kits’ do not allow for the complexities of step-children.’ ‘Check your parents Will , as if they die before settlement your ex may be entitled to half.’ Vic Legal Aid 1800 677 402 www.legalaid.vic.gov.au Office of Public Advocate Advice Service 1300 309 337 www.publicadvocate.vic.gov.au/services/102 To order or download a copy of Take Control: A kit for making powers of attorney and guardianship, go to www.publicadvocate.vic.gov.au/publications/121/ 28 My Financial Goals Steps to get there Short term (1-3 months) Short term (6 months) Medium term (1-2 years) Long term (5 - 10 years) 29 ‘I had no way of paying my electricity bill but I rang my provider and spoke to the Hardship Department and they suggested I apply for the Utility Relief Grant. This meant $500 was paid off my bill!’* * Please note $500 is the maximum of this grant and you need to meet eligibility criteria. Decisions can also be reviewed if you have more information to add. ‘A man is not a financial plan’. If you have a concession card there are many grants and concessions that you may be eligible for. For a comprehensive list go to: www.whealth.com.au/documents/publications/is-financial_resources.pdf Concessions Information Line 1800 658 521 ‘Many financial counsellors advise applying for your credit report every twelve months. By checking your report regularly you can ensure that lenders are getting a balanced and complete picture of your financial health. You can ensure the information on your credit report is accurate and request corrections where necessary.’ For information about your credit report and contact details for helpful services go to: www.moneysmart.gov.au/tools-and-resources/publications/factsheet-your-credit-report To obtain a free copy of your credit check go to: www.checkyourcredit.com.au/Resources/Forms/ApplicationForConsumerCreditReportAU.pdf National Financial Counselling Hot Line 1800 007 007 For a list of Regional and Rural Emergency Relief providers go to: www.vicdrugguide.org.au/handbook/ch13s06s02.php Money Smart www.moneysmart.gov.au is a Government funded website that has lots of useful financial information and advice. Home Energy Saver Scheme (HESS) Help Line 1800 007 001 provides free support and advice, including home visits, to low-income households experiencing difficulty paying their energy bills. www.fahcsia.gov.au/our-responsibilities/communities-andvulnerable-people/programs-services/financial-management-program/home-energy-saver-scheme 30 My Personal Goals Family My family and I will……………….................................................................................................................…. My family and I will……………...........................................................................................................………… ...................................................................................................................................................................... Work I will…….................................................................................................................................................…… I will………………..................................................................................................................………………… ...................................................................................................................................................................... Social My new hobby will be……………………......................................................................................................…. The new group I will join will be………………………………............................................................................... ...................................................................................................................................................................... Spiritual I will take time for myself ……………................................................................................................................ I will take time for myself …………...............................................................................................................… ...................................................................................................................................................................... 31 The Future Upgrade your current skills or create a new career Name of Service Phone Email Website Contact person Date contacted Reference Number Follow up required? When? Notes, Tips, Suggestions... Done TAFE UNI Centrelink Employment Networks Further Training Other support/ networks 32 Notes .................................................................................................................................................................................................... .................................................................................................................................................................................................... .................................................................................................................................................................................................... .................................................................................................................................................................................................... .................................................................................................................................................................................................... .................................................................................................................................................................................................... .................................................................................................................................................................................................... .................................................................................................................................................................................................... .................................................................................................................................................................................................... .................................................................................................................................................................................................... .................................................................................................................................................................................................... .................................................................................................................................................................................................... 33 ‘Women like me can find a positive in all this negativity… if they haven’t been working or are unsure of what to do - you can remind them that they could always try studying again at TAFE. Not only could they be eligible for JET Childcare Assistance (need a Health Care card) but also, if they start receiving a pension , they could be eligible for a Pensioner Education Supplement. Lots of forms to fill out, but it ’s worth it! They can upgrade existing skills or gain new ones, plus you get a little extra money for studying! It gives you a feeling of being in control more , increasing self-empowerment and that feeling of “I CAN DO THIS.” I studying gets difficult, you can apply for extensions, you can do If things part-time , all they need to do is talk to the careers adviser and they will be guided in the right direction . ‘I question my decisions sometimes. My ex isn’t liking my growing awareness of money and sometimes I feel really shaky, other times I feel clear and competent - I want more of the latter.’ ‘You’re off to Great Places! Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting. So…….get on your way!’ Dr.Seus, Oh the Places You’ll Go. 34 This booklet developed by Women’s Health Goulburn North East (WHGNE) is a product of the Keeping Your Boat Afloat project, in collaboration with the WHGNE Tools for Change Mentor Program. The artwork and photography for the Tools for Change products, used also in this booklet was inspired by women’s stories and their symbolic representation in the Australian bush. These images are of Eucalyptus caesia, commonly known as Silver Princess, and represent the cycles, impacts and changes in a life journey, which is particularly relevant for a survivor of family violence. The essence of this particular tree is of value when feeling aimless, despondent and without direction. Subsequently, the positive expression of this essence facilitates motivation, direction and life purpose. This essence is considered most effective when people are at a crossroad. Re-establishing financial security after violence is one such crossroad. Special acknowledgement and sincere appreciation to Sandy King, WHGNE Tools for Change Project worker, for her inspiration and input into the development of this resource. We gratefully acknowledge the women and workers for their valuable input. We also wish to acknowledge the Women’s Information and Referral Exchange (WIRE) and in particular Sally Marsden, for so generously allowing their material to be used during the development of this resource. WHGNE would also like to acknowledge the Keeping Your Boat Afloat project worker Karen O’Connor who developed this resource in the hope that it will assist women leaving family violence to journey successfully to a new and brighter future for themselves and their children. We thank the Ian Potter Foundation and William Buckland Foundation for their funding for these projects. Copyright © Women’s Health Goulburn North East, 2013 The information contained in this publication is the product and property of Women’s Health Goulburn North East. When copying or reproducing any part of this document, please acknowledge the source as WHGNE and include the title, year and page number. Every effort has been made to provide accurate and current information. For continuing updates, see WHGNE’s website: www.whealth.com.au Please notify WHGNE with any changes or corrections, in particular organisations details. Project layout by [email protected] 0428 307 201 PO Box 853 Wangaratta VIC 3676 Ph 03 5722 3009 Fax 03 5722 3020 [email protected] www.whealth.com.au