World Elder Abuse Awareness Day – 15 June
Together we can support the safety and well-being of our seniors
As advocates for seniors rights in Northern Territory, Darwin Community Legal Services ( DCLS) is at the forefront, raising community awareness to enhance community knowledge about elder abuse.
Facts about elder abuse
Elder abuse is globally under reported, about 1 in 6 Australians aged 65 and over experience abuse at the hand of family member, workers, or partner. The abuses go unreported or unrecognised because of fear, stigmatisation, or lack of information and support.
Working together to safeguard older Territorians
World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (15 June) highlights the important issue of abuse suffered by older people in our community, which unfortunately happens too frequently and is not often spoken about openly or reported enough. The day also serves as a reminder to all Territorians that support services are available to help prevent or respond to elder abuse in the Northern Territory.
Elder abuse can take many different forms, and someone the older person trusts or depends on such as a family member, a friend or a carer is often responsible. The abuse of older people is not always physical; it can also be financial, psychological or sexual, and can include mistreatment or neglect. No cultural group or socio-economic group is immune to this abuse.
In a critical situation (e.g. where there is a serious risk to an older person’s life), it is vital to seek help from the appropriate emergency service (e.g. Police or Ambulance) by phoning 000.
Relationships Australia’s Senior Relationship Services supports older people to feel respected and safe. It offers early intervention support and counselling and facilitates family meetings for seniors and their families.
Darwin Community Legal Service operates the Elder Abuse Information Line, which assists seniors and their families with information and referrals to a range of support services.
Catholic Care NT in Alice Springs is an Aged Care Advocate that support older people through information about aged care services, rights and responsibilities.
COTA NT is the voice of seniors in the Northern Territory and advocates for seniors by promoting seniors’ interests, views and well-being. COTA NT works closely with Relationships Australia, Catholic Care, Darwin Community Legal Service and makes referrals when seniors have a concern about abuse.
Contact Details
Relationships Australia NT – 8923 4999 – http://www.nt.relationships.org.au/
Darwin Community Legal Service – 8982 1111 or 1800 812 953 (free call) – https://www.dcls.org.au/
Catholic Care – 8958 2400 – https://www.catholiccarent.org.au/
COTA NT – 8941 1004 – https://www.cotant.org.au/
GET INVOLVED
We can all play our part to enhance the community knowledge. Organise events or information sharing sessions to empower our seniors to take action.
DCLS have developed Respect, Value, Protect education modules that are available for the public. To learn more about our free online education sessions view our Respect, Value, Protect flyer (PDF).
The training provides fundamental information that helps shape community perceptive and attitude.
PARTICIPATE
Anyone can participate, we encourage you to take a stand in enhancing our seniors safety and wellbeing. Here are some ideas of what you can do to get involved. However, you can come up with your own exciting ideas.
- Organise a trivia day ( something fun for the team or family)
- Set up an information table with merchandise
- Display banners or posters in your workplace
- Wear purple to impress, (e.g. colour your hair purple or organise a prize for the best dressed)
- Organise a morning tea and talk about elder abuse
- Zoom catch up (participants to wear purple)
- Tie plants with big purple ribbons
- Light up local landmarks in purple
- Create street art (client stories)
- Raise money for an organisation
- working to stop elder abuse.
To help you getting started, download your free WEAAD information pack (link)
This pack contains:
- A3 posters
- SDRS brochures
- DCLS brochures
- Elder abuse brochure
CLIENT VOICE
DCLS received a call from a social worker in Batchelor who reported that an elderly lady named Mary, living in community had her basic card stolen from her son and was unable to purchase food and medication.
We immediately called the police in Batchelor and arranged for them to carry out a welfare check. With the report that the police sent back to us, we arranged an assessment by the Aged Care Assessment Team and support services were arranged.
With Mary’s authority we also arranged for the Social Worker to take Mary to Centrelink to be issued with a new Basics Card and spoke with the local store owner at Batchelor to ensure that Mary sign for all future purchases when using her card and to ensure that nobody else (being her son) sign for it.
The social worker spoke with Mary’s son and explained that it was not okay for him to take her basics card and spend her money, leaving her with nothing for her own needs.
We followed up with Mary one month later and she stated that she is very pleased with the help and support that she has received and that her son no longer asks for her basics card.
How can we help?
Our Seniors & Disability Rights team will provide you with:
- Information about your rights
- Care and services you might need
- Advocacy
- Information to make informed decisions
- Education on elder abuse
- Referrals for you or families, friends or community members concerned about elder abuse.
Contact Us
We are here to help.
Seniors & Disability Rights Service
For information, education, advocacy or referral, call
(08) 89821111 or 1800 812 953 (free call)
Elder Abuse Information Line
1800 037 072