A vast majority of Australians are unaware of the impacts of financial abuse in domestic violence situations, new research says.

In new research from Allianz, more than three quarters of Australians surveyed were not aware, or were completely unaware of the risks posed to victims when insurance is manipulated to inflict harm.

Lead Researcher Jan Brackenridge told Sofie Formica financial products and insurance can be another way perpetrators inflict abuse.

“Intentionally damaging property, like a car or a house, so a claim was voided; changing details on insurance policies and then perhaps damaging a car so the person has no recourse for insurance; leaving people with debts.

“It’s all part of looking at financial and economic abuse that occurs within domestic and family violence more routinely.

“So many people who are experiencing domestic and family violence would acknowledge that financial and economic abuse was something they didn’t even realise they were experiencing.”

Press PLAY below to hear why Allianz commissioned the research 

Image: Getty