State urged to end jail for failure to repay debts

PEOPLE who face court or jail for non-payment of debt often suffer traumatic stress, are frightened their children will be taken into care and are ashamed to have their financial difficulties discussed in a public forum, a major new report has found.

The study by FLAC (Free Legal Advice Centres) portrays a compelling picture of how someone in debt is affected by their experience.

Those surveyed for the report cited a range of side effects from family rows, blame, guilt, loss of security, constant worry about the future and the fear of children being taken into care.