Utility-related economic abuse is an understudied form of family violence. In 2017, new protections were introduced into the Victorian water industry standards to increase support for victim-survivor water customers. Comprising eight semi-structured interviews with victim-survivors (n=4), water sector employees and stakeholders (n=2), a community lawyer (n=1) and personal advocate (n=1), our exploratory study is the first in Australia to draw on lived experience to better understand water utility-related economic abuse and how victim-survivors seek help. Thematic analysis of qualitative data generated three themes: barriers to victim-survivor awareness of water utility support measures, receipt of inconsistent assistance from water utilities, and the impact of effective water utility support. We describe how water utility-related economic abuse was experienced by victim-survivors and suggest strategies to improve water utility support. Our research highlights an often overlooked dimension of economic abuse with implications for essential service utilities in Australia and beyond.

Access the link here or view PDF to the left.