MEDIA STATEMENT: Chilling report further confirms need for Elder Abuse Inquiry

Chilling report further confirms need for Elder Abuse Inquiry

• A report into elder abuse in Queensland further confirms need for Inquiry. 
• Inquiry forms part of the Crisafulli Government's 100 Day Plan
• 4,458 phone calls to the helpline and 2,674 notifications of abuse

A joint report into Elder Abuse, by the Queensland Government and Uniting Care, has revealed the urgency for an inquiry, Minister for Families, Seniors and Disability Services Amanda Camm said.

The Elder Abuse Statistics In Queensland Year in Review found 4,458 phone calls were made to the Elder Abuse Helpline in 2023-24, with 2,674 notifications of abuse.

The report recommended further research into social abuse which is a form of coercive control that can be used as means to facilitate, maintain or hide other forms of abuse.

Social abuse increased in 2023-24 by 7% while neglect of older people increased by 24%.

In December, the Crisafulli Government established a Parliamentary Inquiry to investigate the devastating consequences of elder abuse, delivering on the Government’s 100 Days Plan.

Minister for Families, Seniors and Disability Services Amanda Camm said the inquiry will shine a light on the mistreatment of some of the most vulnerable members of the community.

“This report highlights the decade of neglect by the former Labor Government; with year-on-year increases in reports of abuse yet a complete lack of action by our predecessors to change the broken system,” Minister Camm said.

“The Crisafulli Government is acting now, by setting up a Parliamentary Inquiry which will help shine a light on the nature and extent of elder abuse, how we are reporting and responding to elder abuse and where we can improve.

“All Queenslanders have a role to play in preventing elder abuse including families, communities, service providers and all levels of government.

“Increasing our understanding of elder abuse and boosting community awareness is vital to stopping the abuse.”

Minister Camm said the report highlights the fact that elder abuse is currently underreported in Queensland.

“We know six in 10 older people who experience abuse will likely not seek help from a professional source, but instead seek advice from family or friends,” Minister Camm said.

“This inquiry will also help increase awareness right across Queensland, as we work towards better protecting some of the most vulnerable in our communities.”

The inquiry is in addition to the Crisafulli Government milestone Residential Care reforms to set-up a 24-hour dual-carer model and inquiry into DVConnect.

“These reforms are about finding gaps in the system, left by the former Labor Government, so we can better protect the most vulnerable in our community,” Minister Camm said.

“We are committed to a safer community for all.”

Suspected cases of Elder Abuse can be reported via www.qld.gov.au/stopelderabuse or call the Elder Abuse Helpline on 1300 651 192.

ENDS

MEDIA CONTACT: Rachel Baxter 0474 151 913

Fast Facts

• The Year in Review 2023-24 report indicates that in Queensland:

• • the largest group of older people experiencing abuse was aged 80–84 years (22.0%).
  • women are more than twice as likely to be victims of elder abuse (67.1%). Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are over-represented (3.7%, only 2.4% of people aged 50 years and over living in Queensland identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander).
  • psychological abuse (75.9%) and financial abuse (65.0%) were the most often reported forms of abuse.
  • 69.5% of victims (69.5%) reported experiencing more than one type of abuse.
  • sons and daughters are the perpetrators in 95% of cases of abuse and more than half of victims lived with the perpetrator.
  • in 2023-24, calls increased on the previous year in Moreton Bay–South (up 29.7%) Sunshine Coast (up 27.4%) and Mackay–Isaac–Whitsunday (up 20.4%). Calls decreased in Central Queensland calls decreased by 37.5%.

Regional breakdown