The Attorney-General’s Department has marked Elder Abuse Awareness Day, by launching a new awareness campaign to highlight the issue and assist those experiencing physical, emotional and financial abuse to get help.
Attorney-General Christian Porter said the one-minute video, ‘ Elder Abuse: Everyone’s Business’, that was part of the campaign had been developed by his Department and built on the many existing initiatives being delivered through the National Plan to Respond to the Abuse of Older Australians.
“Elder abuse is everyone’s business and it’s incumbent on all of us to speak up if we witness or suspect it is occurring to someone we know or love,” Mr Porter said.
“The video also highlights the many avenues of support that are available to those experiencing abuse including the COMPASS website and 1800 ELDERHelp line, which has provided direct assistance to more than 500 individuals since its launch late last year.”
Mr Porter said he would work with the States and Territories to consider reforms to enduring power of attorney laws and the issue of registration of enduring instruments is to be considered when the Council of Attorneys-General meet next month.
“Improved safeguards around the use of enduring powers was a key recommendation of the Australian Law Reform Committee’s 2017 elder abuse report,” Mr Porter said.
Minister for Aged Care and Senior Australians, Senator Richard Colbeck said the campaign followed the announcement that a Serious Incident Response Scheme to protect vulnerable and senior Australians from abuse and neglect was to be established.
The one-minute video Elder Abuse: Everyone’s Business can be accessed at this PS News link and information on the Serious Incident Response Scheme at this link.
