William Dunn (pictured), CEO of Domo Insurance, recently participated in the “Stand Up in September” campaign, a family violence awareness event organised by Melbourne charity You Matter.
The event, which took place on Sept. 19 at The Union House in Richmond, sought to engage men in conversations about challenging gender stereotypes and behaviours that contribute to domestic violence.
The event was held as a “Pie Night” ahead of the AFL finals, a time when domestic violence incidents tend to rise. The informal setting encouraged men to reflect on how they can contribute to preventing family violence.
Dunn was one of eight male ambassadors from various industries who pledged their support for the initiative.
The night featured live entertainment, a silent auction, and a speech from AFL legend Phil Cleary, who shared personal stories about the effects of family violence and the role of communities in addressing the issue.
Proceeds from the event went toward You Matter’s efforts to support women and children leaving violent situations, providing essentials for their long-term accommodation.
While community efforts like You Matter’s campaign continue to raise awareness, a recent audit has revealed significant shortcomings in how Australian life insurers address family violence.
Conducted by the Financial Rights Legal Centre in 2023, the audit reviewed 17 life insurers to assess their compliance with the Life Insurance Code of Practice, which includes requirements for supporting victims of domestic violence.
The audit compared insurers’ policies against the Financial Services Council’s (FSC) guidelines, a voluntary framework aimed at improving industry practices. Results showed only one insurer fully met all 11 recommended policy areas, while more than half of the insurers scored below 5.5, highlighting gaps in implementation.
Financial Rights has recommended that insurers adopt more comprehensive family violence policies, citing Noble Oak as an example of best practice. Suggested improvements include:
The complete findings from the audit were published in May 2024.
In addition to its audit, Financial Rights submitted a report to the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Corporations and Financial Services, calling attention to gaps in the regulation of financial abuse, a common form of domestic violence where perpetrators exert control over victims’ finances.
The submission pointed out that the lack of consistent rules across the financial services sector makes it difficult for victims to seek help.
The organisation is advocating for stronger protections for vulnerable customers and has suggested that the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) be given expanded powers similar to the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority to create and enforce rules that protect against financial abuse.
The Centre for Women’s Economic Safety (CWES) has also been urging insurers, particularly in the general insurance sector, to take steps to prevent their products from being exploited for financial abuse purposes.
