Ending the abuse of older people begins with a conversation.

Abuse or mistreatment of older people is never acceptable. As a community, we need to support older people who might be experiencing abuse.

About the campaign

The abuse of older people (also known as elder abuse) affects many of us. It’s a topic that can be really confronting and make us uncomfortable to think about. 

This campaign aims to help older people, together with their families and friends, feel more comfortable sharing concerns about abuse and increase awareness that support is available.   

National TV commercial

What we know

Among Australians aged 65 years or older1:

• 1 in 6 experiences at least one form of abuse

• psychological abuse is the most common form, followed by neglect, financial abuse, physical abuse and sexual abuse

• perpetrators of abuse are often family members

• abuse often remains hidden

• 2 in 3 people who experience abuse don’t seek help or advice. 

We know that the abuse of older people is a deeply sensitive issue that most of us don’t know how to ‘fix’, or even how best to respond, so we tend to avoid thinking about it. 

We also know that older people who are experiencing abuse can feel a sense of shame and that there isn’t anybody for them to talk to, when most of the time this isn’t the case. 

Older people are not alone. 

What we can do

We want the community to feel comfortable talking about abuse so that people raise their concerns early. It doesn’t have to be a crisis.  

The good news is that when older people do look for support, they usually go to those they trust – their family, friends and others in their daily lives. This means that all of us can play a role in making conversations about abuse of older people easier and more commonplace. 

When an older person shares their experience of abuse, or if you suspect an older person may be experiencing abuse, it can be hard to know what to do. But there’s actually a range of support available from simple advice to more serious intervention. Speaking up early is usually the most effective strategy.

When we feel comfortable to engage with this topic as a community, we are more likely to prevent and respond to abuse.

How to get help

If you are experiencing abuse, or know someone that may be experiencing abuse, there is help and support available. 

• Call 000 in an emergency 

• Call 1800ELDERHelp (1800 353 374) for information or advice. Please note this is not a crisis support line and operating hours may vary depending on which state or territory you are calling from.