Abuse thrives in silence; acknowledging, discussing, and raising awareness reduces the shame and isolation that people experiencing the harm may feel. It may also empower individuals to act, such as by reporting to an authority or disclosing to a trusted adult.

Elder abuse can include financial, emotional, psychological, physical, sexual, or social abuse. Like the abuse and neglect of children, it is most often caused by someone known to the older person, such as family members or friends.

The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) in the research of family, domestic and sexual violence, dated 28 February 2025 found:

• Psychological abuse is the most common form of elder abuse
• 1 on 2 people who perpetrate elder abuse are a family member
• 1 in 3 people who experienced elder abuse sought help from a third party

Elder abuse can also occur in institutions, such as in aged care facilities and health care services (Joosten et al 2017).

As Australia has an aging population, these numbers are likely to increase.

This article can be found in full here: www.aihw.gov.au/family-domestic-and-sexual-violence/population-groups/older-people

The largest study of elder abuse in Australia is the National Elder Abuse Prevalence Study, published July 2021 – National Elder Abuse Prevalence Study: Final Report. This study surveyed 7000 older people in 2020, who were living in the community and could be interviewed by telephone. Some salient points from this research are:

• 1 in 6 people in Australia (15% or 598 000) experienced elder abuse in the past 12 months
• 471,300 (12%) had experienced psychological abuse in the past year
• 115,500 (2.9%) had experienced neglect in the past year
• 83 800 (2.1%) had experienced financial abuse in the past year
• 71,900 (1.8%) had experienced physical abuse in the past year
• 39,500 (1.0%) had experienced sexual abuse in the past year
• A slightly higher percentage of women than men had experienced elder abuse

The above data excludes aged care residents or those with a cognitive impairment.

As abuse is generally underreported and there are many barriers to disclosing abuse, the prevalence rates are likely higher.

The Ageing and Disability Commission (ADC) Ageing & Disability Commission administers the Aging and Disability Abuse Helpline, 1800 628 221. The ADC data collected 1 July 2019 to 30 June 2024 found:

• 14,541 reports were made to the Ageing and Disability Commission about older people, a 108% increase over 5 years
• The most common reported types of alleged abuse of older people to the Ageing and Disability Commission were psychological (39%), financial abuse (29%) and neglect (21%).

The Seniors Rights Service (SRS) Protecting the rights of older people – Seniors Rights Service promotes the human rights of all older persons. The SRS provide legal advice, information and referrals to older people in NSW on the legal issues they may face. The SRS provide aged care advocacy across NSW to support recipients in Commonwealth funded aged care services and are a source of rights-based information to older people.

On 1 November 2025 a new Aged Care Act will come into effect. This Act has a human rights focus, introducing a Statement of Rights for older people when seeking or accessing government funded aged care services, enacting one of the recommendations from the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety. The Act further strengthens the Aged Care Quality Standards and support how aged care is delivered at home.

As you read this article post World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, take a moment to reflect on the older people you know in the community and what we as community members, may do to support their safeguarding.