Queenslanders urged to help end elder abuse

• Almost one in six older Australians experienced abuse in the past 12 months
• On World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (15 June), the Palaszczuk Government has launched a six-week statewide campaign
• Brisbane will join other cities to turn the spotlight on elder abuse with social and wellbeing activities and a free community event.

More older Queenslanders are seeking support for elder abuse as community awareness grows about a state-funded helpline.

Research shows nearly one in six Australian seniors are mistreated, and elder abuse is still vastly underreported in Queensland.

On World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (15 June), the Palaszczuk Government has partnered with lead agencies to call for an end to elder abuse in Queensland communities.

It has launched a six-week statewide campaign urging Queenslanders who experience, witness or suspect elder abuse to call the Elder Abuse Helpline on 1300 651 192 or visit qld.gov.au/stopelderabuse.

The most common forms of elder abuse are psychological abuse, neglect and financial abuse.

Services supporting older Queenslanders report that these forms of abuse are often linked.  Sadly, perpetrators of elder abuse are frequently the adult children of the older person.

Today, Brisbane will join other cities around the world turning the spotlight on elder abuse with a community event featuring Q&A sessions, panel discussions and social and wellbeing activities, such as tai chi and line dancing.

Hosted by Caxton Legal Centre, ‘It’s all about respect’ is free to attend and will be held at Flowstate Outdoor Pavilion, The Arbour, Turbine Street, South Brisbane, from 8.30am to 2pm.

Quotes attributable to Minister Crawford:

“Respect. Dignity. Feeling safe. These are the things that never grow old, the simple things that people of all ages have a right to.

“This is the message we will be sharing with Queenslanders as we launch our campaign to raise awareness of elder abuse and encourage people to contact the Elder Abuse Helpline for support.

“The Palaszczuk Government spends $7.9 million annually on elder abuse prevention and intervention, including the Elder Abuse Prevention Unit, which is operated by UnitingCare, Seniors Financial Protection Services, scams and fraud awareness, and the Seniors Legal and Support Service.

“Elder abuse reporting continues to increase in Queensland – driven in part by greater community awareness and older people seeking support. But we know the issue is still vastly underreported.

“We can stop elder abuse, but we must be willing to stand up together, as a community and as concerned family members and friends, for the rights of older Queenslanders.

“And we must continue to spread the message far and wide to ensure older people know they are not alone – that there is always help available, and there is always someone willing to listen and to take action.

Older Queenslanders deserve to be celebrated – to have their contributions recognised – and to be supported to live safely in their homes and communities.”

Quotes attributable to Senior Sergeant Debbie Phillips, State Disability and Elder Abuse Coordinator, Domestic, Family Violence and Vulnerable Persons Unit, Queensland Police Service:

“What we’re seeing in communities is that older persons are seeking support for abuse and police are investigating the criminal offences being committed, including fraud, deprivation of liberty, stealing and failing to provide the necessities of life.

“Queensland Police Service can support seniors experiencing elder abuse by holding perpetrators of violence to account, helping them to apply for domestic and family violence orders to keep them safe, and case managing safety plans with victims.

“We have partnered with over 100 referral agencies across the state specifically tailored to assist, support and provide guidance to victims of elder abuse and their carers.

“On World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, we urge Queenslanders to join us in working towards a safer Queensland where our seniors feel safe, connected and respected.”

Quotes attributable to Rhett Chapman, Local Service Manager, Statewide Older Person’s Programs, Family and Disability Services, UnitingCare:

“Our confidential Queensland Elder Abuse Helpline (1300 651 192) is a contact point for anyone who experiences, witnesses or suspects that an older person is being abused by someone they know and trust.

“In 2021-22, we received more than 3800 calls and saw a 15 percent increase in abuse notifications.

“Elder abuse is often hidden and goes unnoticed. Knowing the signs may help you recognise when someone needs support.

“These can include changes in a person’s mood such as irritability or anxiousness, physical changes such as sudden weight loss or unexplained injuries, or financial changes such as strange transactions on bank statements.

“Sometimes signs of abuse are subtle and can be mistaken for illness or ‘ageing’. Taking the time to notice and look out for older people is something we can all do to protect those we know and love.”

Quotes attributable to Colette Bots, Director, Family, Domestic Violence and Elder Law practice, Caxton Legal Centre:

“Many older Australians who are experiencing abuse by a trusted family member, friend, or even neighbour may not realise that what they are experiencing is abuse let alone know what to do about it.

“Lawyers can help people come to a better understanding of the different types of elder abuse, including financial, psychological, physical, sexual abuse or neglect, and how the law can help them to make the abuse stop. 

“Our Queensland Government-funded Seniors Legal and Support Service offers home visits to people in the comfort of their own homes or in any other safe location so that we can start an obligation-free, confidential conversation in a safe space.

“Through our service and in line with the National Elder Abuse Prevalence Study, we see that the majority of those perpetrating elder abuse are adult sons and daughters.

“Psychological abuse is frequently used by adult children to facilitate convenient ways to commit financial abuse against their mother or father. This can take the form of intimidating their parents as a means of pressuring them to hand over their life savings.

“As a community we need to take a stand against elder abuse and not let it remain under the radar when we see signs that it may be occurring.”

ENDS

Media contact – Peter Michael 0477 948 091