Economic harm: Making a difference at work

FSC hosted a Connect webinar in support of International Economic Harm Awareness Day to gain a better understanding of economic harm and what practical strategies and tips we can adapt to support our people at work who may be affected.

Economic harm is a form of family violence that controls, restricts or removes access to money and economic resources or participation in financial decisions.

Good Shepherd NZ’s Social Inclusion Manager, Nicola Eccleton, and Project Advisor - Economic Resilience, Beryl Brogden, joined the FSC Connect webinar to share their specialist insights into prevention and how to respond to economic harm at work.

Watch the replay:

They highlighted  various red flags to look out for, simple prevention strategies we can implement, how to have supportive conversations at work and the impact economic harm can have on other staff.

We also heard from a business owner who responded and supported one of her employees who was experiencing economic harm.

Trends overseas suggest economic harm is experienced in as many as 94% of family violence cases. In New Zealand one in two women and one in ten men experience some form of family violence in their lifetime. Chances are someone in your team is affected.

Speakers:

Beryl Brogden, Projects Advisor - Economic Resilience, Good Shepherd New Zealand

Beryl’s influence stretches across all corners of our economic harm work where her passion for inclusion, strength-based language, and drive to support those who slip through the gaps are clearly visible.

She has a Bachelor of Applied Science in Psychology and has previously worked in family violence agency, Aviva, to support women to be safe.

While at Aviva, Beryl led the establishment of NZ’s first family violence peer support service that was funded by Good Shepherd NZ.

Beryl is determined to spread the word about economic harm, to grow a better understanding of what it is and how we can begin to support people experiencing it in our communities.

Nicola Eccleton, Head of Purpose and Impact,
Good Shepherd New Zealand

Nicola is the Social Inclusion Manager at Good Shepherd NZ.

She co-wrote our 2018 research: Economic Abuse in New Zealand and is currently leading Good Shepherd New Zealand’s work in this area.

This includes the development of our Healthy Financial Relationships Toolkit, other economic harm resources and training, and a pilot programme supporting clients to address the impact of economic harm.