Police say 6000 cases just the "tip of an elder abuse iceberg"

Acting superintendent Tom Nairn told the ABC's Raf Epstein that the "vast majority" of these crimes were being perpetrated by family, friends, or carers.

Seniors Rights Victoria principal lawyer and manager Avital Kamil echoed Victoria Police's findings, saying that complex family dynamics contributed to elder abuse.

"There's a lot of cultural expectations, social expectations and shame around the reporting," she said.

Listen to the interviews below.