From Bystanders of Financial Abuse to Action - Catherine Fitzpatrick Has The Answer to Disrupt Another Form of Perpetration

Catherine Fitzpatrick is on the show today, and what an impressive career she’s already had, all while her scope of influence continues to grow and the evidence of what she’s affecting is increasingly visible and demonstrable. Catherine has 30 years of experience as a journalist, corporate executive and now an entrepreneur, she’s an author and researcher and advisor to the NSW and Australian governments plus the World Bank. In 2018 she was awarded an AFR 100 Women of Influence in recognition for how she’d catalysed and then led the establishment of the Commonwealth Bank of Australia’s domestic and family violence strategy, but has since gone on to become the number one international authority on financial safety by design. Her work now as the Founder and CEO of Flequity Ventures has had far reaching impacts on the banking, insurance and essential services sectors, as well as playing a vital role in the establishment of a parliamentary inquiry in 2024 into how financial services regulations and frameworks relate to financial abuse. A series of ground breaking reports under the banner of Designed to Disrupt has gone a long way in piercing a bubble of ignorance for Australian corporates in how their products and services have been and are continuing to be misused for financial abuse - you can learn even more at Respect & Protect.

I first met Catherine about eight years ago when she was stewarding that work on domestic and family violence plus an internal gender equity committee. Immediately I understood that I’d come across an operator of the highest class, and we worked together on a bunch of different initiatives and projects.

The content of the conversation today may be difficult listening for many, while for some it could cause harm or distress. We cover topics like domestic violence, suicide, coercive and controlling relationships and behaviours, and there are many stories on how gender-based violence and discrimination show up in relationships in homes, workplaces and in our society. If any of this is concerning to you you may want to hit stop. If you do feel distressed listening consider contacting 1800 Respect.

Catherine’s working at the tip of the spear for how all organisations in this country and beyond can and need to step up. As bystanders to the behaviours of their customers and the use of their products and services, the obligation to design these with leading practice safety principles and outcomes in mind is paramount in a context where Australia’s issues with deep seated and long held gender bias, discrimination and violence is apparent on a daily basis. We know that the scourge of violence towards women permeates our society, and Catherine’s work is shining a light on how organisations can contribute to enabling perpetrators to enact fear, shame and isolation on women in Australia.

I hope you take from this conversation Catherine’s call to action - play a role, don’t be a bystander. We all - especially men - have an urgent role to play in gender equity and creating a safe, harmonious world for women to live in. 

Til next time, thanks for listening. 

Follow on LinkedIn, Substack and Humanitix. 

Today's show is delivered with Altiorem. Use code FindingNature25 to get 25% off an annual subscription. 

Today's show is delivered with InnerZone. Refere

Thanks for listening. Follow Finding Nature on Instagram