Make elder abuse a family violence issue
A free seniors service, established to safeguard the rights of older people, has welcomed the recent announcement of the Terms of Reference for the Royal Commission into Family Violence, but says it must also address elder abuse.
A free seniors service claims the Royal Commission into Family Violence must also address elder abuse.
Seniors Rights Victoria manager, Jenny Blakey, claims while women and children suffer enormously from family violence, thousands of older people are suffering as well.
“Elder abuse must be recognised as a serious family violence issue, and older people should be encouraged to speak up,” Ms Blakey says.
Elder abuse is defined as any act which causes harm to an older person and is carried out by someone they know and trust, such as a family member or friend. The abuse may be physical, social, financial, psychological or sexual and can include mistreatment and neglect. While it is vastly under reported, it is estimated that up to 10% of older people worldwide suffer from elder abuse, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
Seniors Rights Victoria received thousands of telephone calls on its Helpline last year, with financial and emotional/psychological abuses among the most common forms of abuse reported. Adult children were reportedly the most common perpetrators.
Women made up 72% of callers, and a significant number of clients were from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds. Elder abuse is expected to increase in Australia as the country's population ages.
“Many people lack understanding of elder abuse. There must be greater resources dedicated to raising awareness of this terrible problem, and law and policy responses that are sensitive to the particular needs of older people,” Ms Blakey says.
In accordance with its Terms of Reference, the Royal Commission could look, for example, at how elder abuse can be prevented and how victims can be better supported to access justice. More education of politicians and the community is vital too,” she adds.
Seniors Rights Victoria provides information, support, advice and education to help prevent elder abuse and safeguard the rights, dignity and independence of older people. Services include the Helpline, specialist legal services, short-term support and advocacy for individuals and community and professional education.
Seniors Rights Victoria also provides leadership on policy and law reform and works with organisations and groups to raise awareness of elder abuse.
