Shenane Hogg spent nine months in a coma after suffering abuse at the hands of her partner. During her recovery, she discovered her abuser had amassed $56,000 of debt in her name.

Shenane’s story is just one of many that was heard at a parliamentary inquiry into how the financial system can be used to abuse women.

The inquiry heard chilling evidence of a sharp rise in financial abuse that can manifest as offensive and threatening messages in streams of bank transfers, raiding of a partner’s super benefits, or making them liable for joint debts.

This month, the Albanese government finally responded to that parliamentary inquiry, saying it supports, or supports in principle, 58 of the inquiry's 61 recommendations – but many of the proposed reforms are yet to be implemented.

Today, journalist Karen Barlow on the cost of financial abuse, and why we’re failing to prevent it.

This episode first aired in July, 2024.

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Guest: Chief political correspondent for The Saturday Paper Karen Barlow.

Photo: AAP Image/Diego Fedele