A support service for victims of domestic abuse says information is power when it comes to dealing with an abusive situation.
OSS Cork say they expect to see an increase in the number of people who are victims of financial abuse as the cost of living crisis continues into the winter.
The service on South Main Street say financial abuse includes denying someone access to their money, taking over control of their online accounts, pressuring them into taking out loans or not following through with agreed payments such as maintenance.
Support services such as OSS say victims of domestic abuse who leave an abusive situation often face a battle to secure a new place to live as the cost of living and rising rents are make it much more difficult.
Speaking to RedFM News, OSS manager Deborah O'Flynn has this advice for anyone who finds themselves in an abusive situation.
"If there's one thing that I'd like to get across to your listeners, it's about getting information information equals power. Do not get your information from the perpetrator because they are going to deliberately tell you falsehoods to dissuade you from getting that information to exercise choice.
"If you go to your GP or your Garda station, they will signpost you into a service such as ours, which is free by the way, and we will give you the appropriate information, if we don't have it in house we will source it for you."
OSS Cork can be reached on 021 422 29 79
