General News
24 June, 2025
Locals urged to report elder abuse
Recent data has shown physical assault is the most common form of elder abuse as locals are urged to come forward if they know or suspect elder abuse is taking place.
Ahead of Elder Abuse Day earlier this month Victoria Police put out a call to action as the crime continues to rise.
The Crime Statistics Agency data showed reports of elder abuse victims aged over 65 increased by 18 per cent in the year to December 2024.
There were 7002 reports of elder abuse during this period with 1211 physical assaults — or around 17 percent of all reports.
According to Victoria Police, physical assaults against older people can involve hitting, kicking, pushing or rough handling which leaves the victim with injuries.
However, elder abuse can include one or multiple forms of abuse including physical, financial, emotional, social, and neglect.
Family Violence Command Acting Superintendent Neil Herbert said police see the impact of elder abuse every day.
“Abuse is never the answer and this is a crime,” he said.
Furthermore, data shows elder abuse is a crime that takes advantage of trust.
“The crime [is] often carried out at the hands of someone the victim should be able to trust such as a family member, friend or even a paid carer,” he said.
Seniors Rights Victoria (SRV) data indicated 58 percent of alleged perpetrators of elder abuse in 2023/24 were the adult children of the victim.
In an effort to bring a stop to elder abuse SRV and Safe and Equal, alongside COTA Victoria, have launched a two-year collaboration which aims to equip staff with the skills and knowledge to address elder abuse.
SRV and COTA Victoria CEO Ben Rogers hopes the partnership will help the family violence system match the needs of elder abuse victim-survivors.
“Elder abuse is a unique, often overlooked form of family violence, and it’s crucial that we provide those working in the sector with the tools required to intervene or prevent it from occurring,” he said.
Safe and Equal CEO Tania Farha said the initiative would help their frontline workers face the complexities of elder abuse.
“Older people experiencing family violence often face unique barriers in accessing safety and support and it’s critical that our frontline workforce are equipped with the skills and confidence to address these complexities,” she said.
It’s a sentiment Victoria Police echoed having found victims-survivors may be reluctant to report the crime because they’re fearful and don’t want to get their family member into trouble.
They may also be dependent on the perpetrator for care or company making them feel trapped.
It’s why reports from the public are an important part of keeping the local aging community safe, as Acting Superintendent Herbert explained.
“We encourage Victorians to recognise the signs of elder abuse and make a report to police if they know or suspect it’s occurring,” he said.
“The more we know – the more we can do something about it and keep older people safe.”
If you are experiencing elder abuse in Victoria, help is available through SRV’s confidential helpline on 1300 368 821. Further information can also be found at seniorsrights.org.au
In an emergency, call Triple Zero (000).