Study reveals steep out-of-pocket expenses for families seeking safety from domestic violence
A La Trobe University study of 416 parents in Australian family courts found they spent an average of $41,041 out-of-pocket on legal, health, counseling, and security services in their first year. Mothers faced higher security and health costs, while fathers spent more on legal and mediation services. Spending on counseling was strongly linked to improved safety during the study period.
The study tracked 416 parents through their first year in Australian family courts, tallying expenses across legal services, health care, counseling, well-being, and physical security. While average out-of-pocket spending reached $41,041, costs varied widely, with some families facing particularly heavy legal bills. Mothers shouldered greater security and health expenses, while fathers spent more on legal and mediation services.
Counseling emerged as a notable investment, with spending on therapeutic support for parents and children strongly linked to improved safety outcomes during the study period. The findings suggest that safety after family violence requires ongoing financial resources, and the researchers question whether families currently bear too much of that burden themselves.
This research could reshape how policymakers and courts think about family violence costs, shifting focus from what violence costs society to what investments actually create safety. Families navigating separation and violence may face financial strain that compounds their trauma, potentially affecting children's wellbeing and recovery trajectories. If counseling spending genuinely improves safety, this may strengthen arguments for publicly funded therapeutic support, though the study's observational nature means causation remains uncertain. The findings could influence family law, health, and social policy discussions in Australia and beyond.