Local abuse prevention campaign in northern NSW

Older people in the Northern Rivers region of NSW will benefit from a locally developed ‘Elder Abuse Prevention Campaign’ funded by the Australian Government Attorney-General’s Department.

The campaign consists of a specialised inter-agency manual for service providers within the aged care sector, television advertisement, and community awareness brochures.

The Minister for Ageing, Mrs Elliot, said the Northern Rivers Social Development Council, based in Lismore, had consulted over two years with service providers across the region and nationally, with elder abuse response units, to develop the manual.

“These resources will help individuals in the community and service providers to identify cases of abuse of older people.

“It will also give points of contact for people who may be experiencing abuse, or for people who know someone who is in that situation, ” she said.

Mrs Elliot said there was increased public concern about elder abuse and its impact on the wellbeing of older people.

“Older Australians are among the most vulnerable in our community and have a right to protection from neglect as well as physical, emotional or financial abuse,” she said.