The respect and protect Index 2025 is the first benchmark of consumer attitudes on business action against financial abuse.
Inside, you’ll discover:
- Exclusive insights from a national survey of 1,000 Australians
- The sectors consumers believe have the greatest responsibility to act
- Real-world examples of businesses leading the charge
- Actionable steps for companies to join the movement.
Financial abuse is a hidden epidemic.
One that costs Australians $5.7 billion annually and traps victim-survivors in cycles of financial dependence and hardship.
But here’s the real wake-up call:
96%
96%
of Australians believe companies should protect customers from financial abuse
3 in 4
3 in 4
consumers want the companies they deal with to take action, and 23% say they’d switch providers based on financial abuse protections
Young adults
18-24
18-24
have the highest expectations—97% say businesses should do more
Perpetrators misuse everyday products to control and harm victim-survivors. Businesses can stop this and Australia is leading the world.
Nearly 50 companies across 10 sectors have already taken action to introduce terms and conditions making it clear they’ll take action against customers who misuse their products and services for financial abuse.
That’s more than 20 million customers who have been put on notice that they’ll be warned or lose access to their accounts if they use them as weapons of domestic and family violence.
Why it matters.
Ignoring financial abuse isn’t just a moral issue – it’s a business risk.
A parliamentary inquiry has recommended that every financial service and product provider ensure financial abuse is explicitly referenced in the terms and conditions for all financial products.
That means that every business which bills for their services should move.
Customers are paying attention. Regulators are watching. The cost of inaction is rising.
Download the respect and protect Index 2025 today and be part of the solution.
