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Financial and Domestic Abuse Policy.

If you are in an emergency situation, call 000.

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The safety and wellbeing of you and your family members comes first. For additional information and support call 1800 RESPECT, who are available 24/7.

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What is financial and domestic abuse?

Financial and domestic abuse refers to violent, threatening, or abusive behaviour where an abuser seeks to dominate, coerce or control the other person, often an intimate family member or partner. Financial and domestic abuse is not limited to physical harm, it can include emotional, sexual, financial, psychological abuse and social isolation as well.

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At Antipodean Underwriting we recognise that financial and domestic abuse impacts the communities in which we operate. We acknowledge it is complex, sensitive and personal, and if you are affected by it we are committed to supporting you with extra care through this difficult time as outlined in this policy.

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The policy

This policy outlines our approach to supporting you if you are experiencing financial and domestic abuse. It is designed to minimise the risk of harm during our interactions with you and provide you respectful, sensitive and timely assistance.

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How can we help?

At  Antipodean Underwriting, we can help support you by:

  • Responding to your disclosure of domestic and family violence with sensitivity and respect

  • Minimising how often you need to disclose information about family violence

  • Helping you set up new insurance policies

  • Ensuring an appropriate and sensitive claims handling processes

  • Where possible, accelerate claim decision outcomes

  • Assisting to arrange access to financial hardship help

  • Referring you to specialist services.

 

Training

We have given our employees and partners training to help them recognise early signs of domestic and family violence, respond with empathy and compassion to a disclosure of domestic and

family violence and refer where appropriate to external community services where additional support may be required.

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Your privacy

We recognise that privacy and confidentiality can be critical to safety in any family and domestic violence situation, and we will treat any information you give us about your situation and your personal circumstances with confidentiality. For further information please refer to our Privacy Policy.

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If you’re a joint policyholder

If you hold a joint policyholder, meaning someone else is named on your policy as well as you, we will:

  • Consider the potential risks to your personal safety and act according to our obligations relating to joint policyholders

  • Where needed to protect your safety we can help you set up a new policy

  • Offer a sensitive claims handling process that provides you confidentiality and safety.

 

Financial hardship

If you’ve been impacted by financial and domestic abuse you may be eligible for financial hardship support such as deferred, reduced or waived payments for claims excesses or outstanding debts owed to us. For information on financial hardship please refer to our Financial Hardship Page.

Sometimes you may need extra help to get your finances back on track during a difficult time. For free, confidential, independent financial advice you can call the National Debt Helpline on

1800 007 007.

 

Employee support

We also recognise that our own employees may be impacted by financial and domestic abuse and need support. We have a range of measures in place to support our people who are affected by financial and domestic abuse. These include access to paid leave, training for our people and referrals to external support services. In addition to this, employees have access to free and confidential support through our Employee Assistance Program.

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General support

1800RESPECT provides access to telephone or online counselling, information on safety planning, and information on how to support someone who is experiencing domestic and family violence. Call 1800 737 732.

Lifeline provides Australians experiencing a personal crisis with 24 hour crisis support and suicide prevention services. Call 13 11 14. 
 

Local Support

ACT – Domestic Violence Crisis Service – 02 6280 0900 (24/7)
NSW – Domestic Violence Line – 1800 656 463 or 1800 671 442 (24/7)
NT – Domestic Violence Crisis Line – 1800 019 116 (24/7)
QLD – DV Connect Crisis Support – 1800 811 811 (24/7)
SA – Women’s Safety Services – 1800 800 098 (24/7)
TAS – Family Response and Referral Line – 1800 633 937 (24/7)
VIC – Safe Steps Family Violence Response Centre – 1800 015 188 (24/7)
WA – Women’s Domestic Violence Helpline – 1800 007 339 (24/7) 

 

Additional Counselling support

Relationships Australia provides support groups and counselling on relationships, and for abusive and abused partners. To be connected to the nearest Relationships Australia, call 1300 364 277.

Aboriginal Family Domestic Violence Hotline. Victims Services has a dedicated contact line for Aboriginal victims of crime who would like information on victims’ rights, how to access counselling and financial assistance. Call 1800 019 123.

The Victims Access Line provides free counselling and financial assistance for victims of crime. Call 1800 633 063 or the Aboriginal contact line on 1800 019 123.

Legal and Financial Support

National Debt Helpline – 1800 007 007
Legal Aid NSW – 1300 888 259
Legal Aid QLD – 1300 651 188
Legal Aid VIC – 1300 792 387
Legal Aid WA – 1300 650 579
Legal Aid Commission of Tasmania – 1300 366 611
Legal Services Commission of SA – 1300 366 424
Northern Territory Legal Aid Commission – 1800 019 343 

 

Support for Men 

Mensline Australia provides a free service offering national telephone and online support, information and referrals for men with family and relationship concerns. Call 1300 789 978. 

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Support for Children

Child Protection Helpline – 132 111

Kids Helpline. Free, private and confidential, telephone and online counselling service specifically for young people aged between 5 and 25 in Australia. Call 1800 551 800.

Australian Childhood Foundation. Counselling for children and young people affected by abuse.
Call 1800 176 453 / .03 9874 3922.

Please feel free to contact any one of our staff if you would like to speak with someone about obtaining some assistance, our Financial & Domestic Abuse Compliance Officer.

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