The focus on First Nations communities follows CBA research which shows that First Nation communities experience a higher exposure to financial abuse than others. According to the research, those who identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander are almost three times as likely (58 per cent) to have experienced financial abuse from a partner as those who don’t (20 per cent).1
CBA Head of Community Investment Nathan Barker said: “CommBank’s Next Chapter Innovation program allows us to share our experience in delivering innovation as well as to provide practical support and accelerate action for these community organisations. With a focus this year on developing innovative responses to support First Nations communities, we hope that this will help direct resources and capability where it can provide meaningful help and impact.”
CBA’s Indigenous Advisory Council Chair Sean Gordon added: “Through the latest cohort of Next Chapter Innovation Partners the Bank will deepen its understanding of the issue even further and support place-based initiatives that show promising outcomes and driving positive change.”
The latest cohort of Next Chapter Innovation partners are:
- Strong Women Talking is a First Nations-led local organisation that is helping to break the cycle of domestic and family violence in First Nations communities. Strong Women Talking will deliver mobile domestic violence education and awareness sessions, which are trauma-informed and culturally safe, tailored and client centred.
- Council of Aboriginal Services WA (CASWA) is an Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation and peak body established to increase the capacity of Western Australian Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations involved in service delivery to Aboriginal people in WA. CASWA will develop its “Empowered Pathways” project that will provide First Nations people impacted by financial abuse with the tools to achieve economic independence, personal empowerment and cultural resilience through financial literacy programs, employment pathways and culturally aligned economic activities.
Next Chapter Innovation offers successful organisations:
- access to grants of up to $200,000
- executive support and mentoring from CommBank
To further drive awareness of financial abuse in First Nations communities, additionally CBA is collaborating with the First Nations community to develop resources and education materials that help to raise awareness and understanding of financial abuse.
By collaborating on culturally appropriate content, we hope to empower individuals, families, and community leaders with the knowledge and tools to identify, prevent, and address financial abuse.
For further details on CommBank Next Chapter, visit: commbank.com.au/nextchapter
Anyone worried about their finances because of domestic or family violence or coercive control can contact the Next Chapter Team on 1800 222 387 for support – no matter who they bank with.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic or family violence, call 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732) or visit www.1800RESPECT.org.au) or 13 YARN (13 92 76 or www.13yarn.org.au).
In an emergency or if you’re not feeling safe, always call 000.
1YouGov Community Attitudes to Financial Abuse 2023 Survey, sample size of 10,000+ Australians aged 18+ (19 May 2023), of which n=1,288 identified as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander. Following the completion of interviewing, the data was weighted by age, gender, region, household income and highest level of education to reflect the latest ABS population estimates.
Banner image: Chris Turnbull, CBA's General Manager, Social Impact and Community Investment speaks with Sono Leone Weatherall from Strong Women Talking and Ada Hanson from Council of Aboriginal Services WA at the Next Chapter Innovation Showcase event in Sydney.
