Victoria Police (Vic Police) is urging the community to be vigilant in recognizing the signs of elder abuse and reporting them promptly. The number of cases of elder abuse has significantly increased, according to Vic Police. Based on figures from the Crime Statistics Agency, the number of elder abuse victims above the age of 65 has risen by over 40 percent in the past five years. In the 12 months leading up to March of this year, the state police received a total of 5,739 reports.
Among the 5,739 victims, two-thirds were female and one-third were male. Elder abuse encompasses various forms of harm inflicted on elderly individuals, including financial, physical, emotional, psychological, or social abuse. Often, the perpetrators are people whom the elderly person knows and trusts, such as family members, friends, or caretakers. This abuse can occur regardless of a person’s gender, sexual orientation, culture, ethnicity, religion, or socioeconomic background.
Financial abuse is one of the most common forms, where the perpetrator illegally or improperly takes an older person’s money, property, or assets. This can also include coercing the older person into changing their will or signing important documents. Victoria Family Violence Command Assistant Commissioner, Lauren Callaway, highlighted other scenarios of elder abuse, such as adult children attempting to sell the house without consent or forcing the older family member into unwanted work.
Physical abuse is another form of elder abuse and involves assaulting or causing harm to a family member by hitting, slapping, pushing, or using restraints. Emotional, psychological, and social abuse occurs when a person’s behavior torments, intimidates, or harasses the elderly individual. This can involve taking away a loved pet, restricting social activities, or neglecting the elderly person. It can lead to distress, shame, stress, or feelings of powerlessness.
Ms. Callaway emphasized that elder abuse can happen in any setting and in various forms, including abuse by family members or paid carers. Some cases involve psychological manipulation and intimidation, such as threatening to place the elderly person in an aged care home. Ms. Callaway stressed that all forms of abuse are considered acts of family violence and should be reported to the police.
However, elderly individuals may be reluctant to report abuse by family members due to their reliance on them for care or companionship. To address this issue, Ms. Callaway encourages Victorian seniors and community members to report any form of senior abuse. Victoria Police also urges seniors and anyone in Victoria to report any instance of elder abuse they witness. They can contact Triple Zero (000) or Seniors’ Rights Victoria on 1300 368 821. More information on elder abuse can be found on the Elder Abuse website.