Summary of submission to the Royal Commission into Family Violence

The purpose of the submission made by Seniors Rights Victoria (SRV) to the Royal Commission into Family Violence is to bring much needed political and community attention to the under-recognised and under-reported abuse of older people – known as ‘elder abuse’.

Elder abuse includes physical, sexual, emotional or psychological, financial or social abuse and neglect.

Through its Helpline and legal and advocacy services, SRV assists people aged 60 years and older (45 years and older for Indigenous clients) who are experiencing any form of abuse, mistreatment or financial exploitation at the hands of a trusted person such as a family member, friend or carer.

Read the Elder Abuse summary report by Seniors Rights Victoria

Reported in the Sydney Morning Herald:

Ninety per cent of the abusers were the victim’s adult child, many of whom suffered from drug, alcohol or gambling addictions, or mental health problems.

One of the biggest risk factors for elderly people was living with the offender.

“Approximately 28 per cent of the older people reporting abuse lived with a son or daughter,” the report said. “[This is] in comparison to the wider population; less than 7 per cent of Australian older people live with an adult child.”