April 2005

Project raises elder abuse awareness

A new Government project will update existing elder abuse policies and develop an education and community awareness strategy for elder abuse prevention.

Minister for Aged Care Gavin Jennings said elder abuse—indeed abuse of people of any age—was unacceptable to the community.

‘The Government is determined to have appropriate strategies in place to deal with any forms of abuse that may arise,’ Mr Jennings said.

‘While most senior Victorians are healthy, active and in charge of their lives, there is a small group in the community who are vulnerable to abuse.

‘Elder abuse can be financial, emotional, psychological or physical.

‘It is important that the community is educated about this form of abuse and strategies are in place for dealing appropriately with any abuse as it occurs.’

The Ministerial Advisory Council of Senior Victorians recently reported findings from its working group on elder abuse to Mr Jennings and recommended a community education and information strategy was needed to help prevent elder abuse.

Mr Jennings said the Government wanted to build on its power of attorney reforms and recent changes to supported residential services and retirement villages regulations.

‘The Government intends to deal with this issue in a positive manner as we don’t want senior Victorians to become unduly alarmed.

‘Victorians should also be assured that any policy resulting from this project won’t treat seniors in a paternalistic manner.’

The Elder Abuse Prevention Project will be managed by the Office of Senior Victorians.

It will include an advisory group consisting of key Government and community stakeholders. The advisory group will be chaired by Barney Cooney, a former Victorian Senator and human rights advocate.

‘We will be inviting representatives of seniors groups, relevant agencies and the Office of the Public Advocate to join the advisory group. The project will also conduct a series of roundtables to ensure that broad consultation on the issue is held throughout the community,’ Mr Jennings said.

The project is expected to report to Government by the end of the year.