Ending the abuse of older people begins with a yarn.

The abuse of older people — Elders — is not part of First Nations culture, and we all want to make sure it doesn’t stay hidden.

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, friends and community, feel more comfortable yarning about abuse and increase awareness that support is available.

Understanding abuse

A word from our Ambassadors

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 everyone to feel comfortable yarning about abuse so that we can make sure it doesn’t stay hidden.  

If you feel that something’s not right with you or an older person you know, talk to someone you can trust — it might be a family member, friend or health care worker. 

And let’s talk about it. Because ending the abuse of older people begins with a yarn.

How to get help

If you feel that something's not right with you, or an older person you know, 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.  

• Call 13 YARN (13 92 76) crisis support line.