Money woes batter couples

Kim Waters
Lingering affects of the global financial crisis are still being felt in Geelong with a surge in divorce rates due to financial stress, according to a spokesperson for Victoria Legal Aid.
The spokesperson said Legal Aid had seen an increase in the number of Geelong couples splitting up over debt, unpayable fines and credit card bills.
“The problems are varied and multiple but we have seen a lot more divorces and separations due to financial stress,” the spokesperson said.
“Losing their homes, being in debt or having fines they can’t pay puts huge financial stress on a family and it has resulted in a lot of families breaking up.
“The financial crisis has definitely had a huge impact on Geelong families in this way.”
The spokesperson said calls for free legal advice had increased 30 per cent in Victoria since the financial crisis.
Geelong Physcotherapist and counsellor Suzanne Doorakkers said financial hardship had a “huge impact” on relationship stability.
“It undermines a lot of things that are going on in relationships and puts an extra level of pressure on couples who are already having issues,” Ms Doorakkers said.
“The Wesley counselling centre in Geelong has had a massive increase in people requiring their services and that would indicate to me that a lot of families are struggling.
“Our basic needs have to be met before we can think about anything else and that includes our relationships.”