World Elder Abuse Awareness Day 2021
The 15 June marks the day in which worldwide we mark the shocking, yet often unspoken, abuse that is perpetrated upon older people in most, if not all, societies.
In Australia we are waking up to the grim reality that abuse against older people does occur. We witnessed distressing scenes of older people being mistreated and assaulted in residential homes that were designed to provide them with care and support, and this resulted in the Royal Commission into Aged Care where again tales of abuse and neglect were common amongst the accounts given by older people and their families.
Abuse, however, occurs not just in formal aged care settings, but also in the community, and can be perpetrated by members of the older person’s family. One area of abuse which is at once common and complicated is financial abuse. As the submission to the Aged Care Royal Commission made by the Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN) indicates, the practice of giving relatives power of attorney over someone’s finances can be a remedy for this, but has also proven to be a tool by which family members can systematically misuse and steal their (usually) parents’ money. In Australia there has been a push for a number of years for a uniform approach to the use of Enduring Powers of Attorney, with the view of stamping out their misuse and the abuse of older people that results.
The theme for International Day Against Elder Abuse 2021 is “Access to Justice”, and this alerts us not only to the fact that abuse of older people exists, but that too often its victims are denied the opportunity to prevent, stop and seek restitution for that abuse. And for many that can lead to devastating circumstances, such as homelessness, injury and even death. In Australia a national approach is required to ensure there is a kore uniform way of providing justice to older people who have experienced abuse, with currently only the ACT having passed legislation to have older persons abuse cast as a criminal offence. OPAN has developed a framework for addressing the issue at a national level, and Elder Abuse Advocacy Australia (EAAA) has been established to provide systemic advocacy to try sand achieve the harmonisation of approach that is necessary.
An underlying cause of abuse is ageism and a lack of respect for older people which is sadly evident within our society, and abuse of older people occurs in the home and in our communities. Engadine Uniting Church, like any other group in the community, acknowledges the existence of this abuse and is committed to revealing it and preventing it. We are members of the Collaborative Against Abuse of Older People in Sutherland Shire, which was established as part of an initiative of the NSW Ageing and Disability Commission to protect older people from abuse. There is a helpline (1800 628 221) which anyone can ring anonymously if they suspect someone is either experiencing or perpetrating. If people are experiencing abuse or are aware of it occurring to someone else, and they need assistance from someone who is trained as an Advocate they can call OPAN on 1800 700 600.
Michael Bleasdale
Community Engagement Officer
Engadine Uniting Church
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