14 September 2023 - Leading credit reference agency Equifax UK has selected Juno Women's
Aid as its local charity partner in Nottingham to help improve financial inclusion for survivors of
domestic abuse.
Domestic abuse is at crisis point in the UK and is affecting more the two million people – 1.6
million of whom are women. 1 For many victims, lack of independence and control over their
finances is a real source of worry and acts as a barrier to escaping from abusive relationships,
particularly in the current cost-of-living crisis. Financial abuse can also leave survivors facing high
levels of debt and other forms of financial difficulty.
Juno Women’s Aid works with women, children and young people who have been affected by
domestic abuse. One of the key objectives of the partnership is helping survivors live their
financial best. Therefore, alongside vital fundraising activities, Equifax will be working with the
charity to help improve financial inclusion for survivors, with a focus on building up ‘thin’ credit
files, providing debt advice and signposting support.
Equifax will be providing workshops to Juno staff and the survivors it supports around debt
advice and how to access support services. It will also be collaborating with Juno to drive greater
awareness of domestic abuse and financial abuse, including within the debt collection industry.
Perpetrators of domestic abuse often use unemployment as a way to control women, by telling
them not to work or making them leave employment. Therefore, Equifax will also be supporting
survivors with professional development such as writing CVs and interview skills to help them
achieve independence.
Phil McGilvray, Managing Director of Debt Services, at Equifax UK, said: “Domestic abuse
affects over two million people in the UK, rendering many victims financially vulnerable and often are
having to deal with significant debts. The current pressures on cost-of-living and affordability make
this even more severe. Juno Women’s Aid is doing vital work in the community to help tackle domestic
abuse, and through our new partnership we hope to make a positive difference for survivors by
providing the skills and knowledge to get back on their feet, find employment and regain their
financial independence.”
Paula Clarke, Deputy CEO at Juno Women’s Aid, said: “Juno are extremely pleased and excited to
work with Equifax. The support that Equifax can provide around finances and debt will make such a
massive difference to women and their families, as many women will have also experienced financial
abuse as part of the controlling behaviours of their perpetrator. At Juno our aim is to provide support
for women, children and young people so that they are empowered and able to live their lives
independently, with confidence and free from further abuse and harm.”
ENDS
Notes to Editors
1 Centre for Social Justice: https://www.centreforsocialjustice.org.uk/newsroom/no-honour-in-
abuse
Media contacts
Emma Henderson
equifaxuk@hkstrategies.com
About Equifax
At Equifax (NYSE: EFX), we believe knowledge drives progress. As a global data, analytics, and
technology company, we play an essential role in the global economy by helping financial
institutions, companies, employers, and government agencies make critical decisions with
greater confidence. Our unique blend of differentiated data, analytics, and cloud technology
drives insights to power decisions to move people forward. Headquartered in Atlanta and
supported by 14,000 employees worldwide, Equifax operates or has investments in 24 countries
in North America, Central and South America, Europe, and the Asia Pacific region.
Equifax Ltd is one of the Equifax group companies based in the UK. Equifax Ltd is authorised and
regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. For more information, visit equifax.co.uk and
follow the company’s news on LinkedIn.