Skip to main content

ABA welcomes plan to stop violence against women

ABA welcomes plan to stop violence against women

17 October 2022

The Australian Banking Association has today welcomed the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2022-32, which aims to stop the cycle of gender-based violence within a generation.

The National Plan announced today by all Australian governments, recognises the significance of financial abuse and the proactive role industries like banks are playing in identifying and assisting victim-survivors of financial abuse.

“Family and domestic violence is a whole of community issue and requires collective efforts of government, communities and the business community, including banks to respond to the challenges. Today’s announcement is a critical step towards ending the cycle of domestic violence against women and children,” ABA Chief Executive Anna Bligh said.

“Banks are in a unique position to play a proactive role in identifying and assisting victim-survivors of financial abuse, a role Australian banks take very seriously”

ABA CEO Anna Bligh

“The national plan recognises that industries, like banking are leading the way by changing their business practices and the way staff respond to family, domestic and sexual violence.

“Banks are in a unique position to play a proactive role in identifying and assisting victim-survivors of financial abuse, a role Australian banks take very seriously,” Ms Bligh said.

The ABA and member banks have been responding to financial abuse over many years and continually review their approach to ensure it reflects emerging issues, changing community expectations, and legal and regulatory changes.

Work undertaken by banks to support customers experiencing financial abuse includes:

  • Implementing preventative measures which block abusive transactions in banking applications and internet banking.
  • Working with Government and regulators to minimise the harm to victim-survivors by suppressing credit reporting information. This aims to reduce the risk of further financial abuse.
  • Partnering with community organisations to address the long-term impacts of domestic and family violence and financial abuse on the community.
  • Updated industry guidelines for banks to reduce the risks of financial abuse and support victims-survivors of domestic violence.

“The banking industry looks forward to working with Government to progress the reforms outlined in the plan. Anyone experiencing financial abuse should speak to their bank. They are ready to help,” Ms Bligh said.


Financial abuse prevention


Latest news

1 / 3
Media Releases
Fans urged to watch out for ticket scams ahead of footy finals
28 August 2025

With the AFL and NRL finals about to kick off and demand for tickets set to surge, the Australian Banking Association is warning footy fans to be on the lookout for scammers.  The ABA is issuing this warning during Scams Awareness Week and as tickets for the AFL finals go on sale from today.  … Read more »

Read more
Media Releases
Banks welcome move to bring forward the Home Guarantee Scheme
25 August 2025

The Australian Banking Association (ABA) has welcomed today’s announcement from the Federal Government to bring forward the start of the Home Guarantee Scheme. Under the Guarantee, eligible first home buyers are able to purchase a home with a smaller deposit and avoid paying lenders’ mortgage insurance. ABA CEO Simon Birmingham said it made sense to… Read more »

Read more
Media Releases
AI-powered scams in the sights of banks 
25 August 2025

This Scams Awareness Week, banks are urging Australians to remain alert to emerging scam threats, from criminals using AI to replicate the voice of people you trust through to deepfake videos of celebrities endorsing investment opportunities.    AI scams to be on the lookout for: ABA CEO Simon Birmingham said the ever-increasing use of AI… Read more »

Read more