Victoria: The Place To Be

DPCD

Home > Elder Abuse Prevention

• Print this page
• Make text size default
• Make text size large

Working together to prevent elder abuse

Every Victorian has the right to live safely and to be treated with dignity and respect. But many senior Victorians are affected by elder abuse, and this is totally unacceptable.

The Victorian Government is acting to overcome elder abuse, working with families, business, professionals and the community.

Elder abuse – the facts

Elder abuse is any act which causes harm to an older person that is carried out by someone they know and trust, such as family or friends.

Elder abuse may be financial, psychological, physical, sexual or social, including mistreatment and neglect.

The issue is likely to become more prominent due to increasing numbers of people aged 75 years and older, and as a result, increasing numbers of people with dementia.

For information about how the Victorian Government is responding to this issue read Rights. Respect. Trust: Victorian Government Elder Abuse Strategy (PDF 450 kb) or (Word 42 kb).

For more information on elder abuse, read the following fact sheets:

Fact sheet 1: What is elder abuse (PDF 212 kb) or (Word 45 kb)

Fact sheet 2: Together we can prevent it (PDF 219 kb) or (Word 43 kb)

These fact sheets are also available in 13 community languages.

Where can I get help?

The Victorian Government has established Seniors Rights Victoria (SRV). This free and confidential statewide telephone and advisory service aims to help prevent elder abuse and safeguard the rights, dignity and independence of senior Victorians.

SRV provides:

• a telephone helpline for information and referral
  
• advocacy and support
  
• legal advice and
  
• community and professional education.

Seniors Rights Victoria can be contacted on 1300 368 821 from 10am to 5pm Monday to Friday.

For more information on the free and confidential advisory service provided by Seniors Rights Victoria visit www.seniorsrights.org.au.

If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, please contact Victoria Police on 000.

Information for service providers: how to respond

The Victorian Government has produced practice guidelines on elder abuse prevention for health services and community agencies. Read more here.

Background reports

Victorian Elder Abuse Prevention Strategic Plan 2006-09 (PDF 75 kb) or (Word 114 kb)

The Mismanagement & Misappropriation of Older People’s Assets: How can the Financial Service Sector help? (PDF 78 kb) or (Word 72 kb) – November 2005

Preventing elder abuse through the health sector (PDF 717 kb) or (Word 401 kb) – November 2005


This page contains downloadable documents. In order to view PDF documents you will require Adobe Reader. To view other file types such as Word, Excel, Powerpoint and ZIP, other tools may be required.

Top