April 27, 2008 12:05pm
VICTORIA'S elderly people who suffer abuse now have access to a telephone helpline, launched today by the State Government.
The Seniors Rights Victoria hotline will provide support and advice to older people suffering abuse, Senior Victorians Minister Lisa Neville said.
She said the $2.6m service would allow anyone to access support and advice to respond to the abuse, mistreatment or neglect of older people.
Ms Neville said elder abuse was not just physical but could be financial, emotional, social or psychological, and involve mistreatment or neglect.
"It can include such instances as families pressuring elderly relatives for money, forcing them to sign documents they do not understand or restricting their contact with friends.
"Other examples include older people's health needs being ignored or physical abuse, including pushing and shoving.''
Studies have estimated that between one and five per cent of older people experience some form of abuse or neglect, Ms Neville said.
Research commissioned by the Department of Planning and Community Development showed 15 per cent of people over the age of 18 had either witnessed financial abuse of an older person or knew the person affected.
The survey also found that 18 per cent of people either witnessed or knew of a senior suffering psychological abuse and 90 per cent supported action to prevent it.
Opposition spokeswoman on ageing Mary Wooldridge said the move was inadequate and lacked preventative strategies and awareness campaigns.
Ms Wooldridge said a report published more than three years ago recommended the issue of elderly abuse be looked at.
“Three-and-a-half years later, the only response we've got from the Government is a hotline,” she said.
“We feel that the Government's response is marked by low commitment to comprehensively and appropriately deal with elderly abuse.”
The hotline 1300 386 821 will begin taking calls from 10am (AEST) tomorrow (April 28.)
SOURCE: heraldSun
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This is long awaited! More must be done to raise public awareness of Elder Abuse. Any hotline will remain "cold" if the hotline creation is not followed by public awareness campaign.
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