Legal Aid WA is to establish Elder Rights WA as part of a plan to increase legal responses to elder abuse.
The $4 million, four-year funding is to establish the new State-wide elder abuse advocacy service.
Minister for Seniors and Ageing, Don Punch said Elder Rights WA would build on Legal Aid WA’s Seniors Rights and Advocacy Service, which provided legal advice and representation regarding elder abuse and other legal matters.
“The Seniors Rights and Advocacy Service also provides information and referrals for people who may not qualify for legal representation,” Mr Punch said.
“The additional funding will enable Legal Aid WA to provide legal assistance to older people experiencing all forms of elder abuse, and to safeguard and advocate for the rights of older people.”
He said Elder Rights WA would provide a complete “wrap-around service” for people experiencing elder abuse, providing security to those needing to access legal services.
“The funding will provide six new positions within Legal Aid, and travel costs where required, to ensure that people in regional, rural and remote areas are also able to access the service,” the Minister said.
“Elder abuse can take many forms and have devastating physical, psychological and financial effects that frequently go unreported, often out of fear or lack of access to legal representation, so it is vital that victims of elder abuse have access to legal representation should they require it.”
Legal Aid WA currently receives funding from the Commonwealth Department of the Attorney General and the Western Australian Department of Justice.
