Elder abuse reports soar
By Rosemary Odgers
June 13, 2008 12:00am
THE number of elderly Queenslanders reporting they are victims of abuse has surged in Queensland – and the perpetrators are usually their adult children.
Queensland's Elder Abuse Helpline received 651 new cases of abuse in the nine months to March, a 47 per cent increase on the same time the previous year.
Nearly half the cases related to psychological abuse, 29 per cent involved financial abuse – where their money is stolen or misused – and 14 per cent of the cases involved physical abuse.
Seniors Minister Lindy Nelson-Carr, said the growing numbers were due more to increased awareness of the helpline rather than a dramatic jump in the number of elderly people being abused.
"Australian researchers estimate that abuse affects approximately 3 to 7 per cent of seniors," Ms Nelson-Carr said.
"It happens behind closed doors . . . it's up to the community to show that abuse will not be tolerated. Most seniors enjoy an active lifestyle, supported by family and friends, sadly some people choose to abuse their positions of trust."
The most common calls to the helpline – which is operated by Lifeline with funding from the State Government – involve abuse at the hands of adult children.
Lifeline Elder Abuse Prevention Unit co-ordinator Les Jackson said it was important to raise awareness of elder abuse within the Queensland community.
"The abuse, mistreatment, neglect and financial exploitation of older people can affect as many as 25,000 older Queenslanders each year," Mr Jackson said.
Lifeline will hold an expo on the issue in Brisbane today to promote the issue ahead of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day on Sunday.
SOURCE: CourierMail
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