Seniors Rights Victoria opens confidential hotline and referral service
Victorian seniors who suffer any form of abuse, mistreatment or neglect will get help from a free and confidential new telephone service thanks to $2.6 million in Brumby Government funding.Senior Victorians Minister Lisa Neville said the Seniors Rights Victoria service would provide support and advice to older people suffering abuse, as well as raising awareness of the prevalence of elder abuse.
The hotline will begin taking calls from 10am Monday, April 28 and will be open Monday to Friday from 10am to 5pm.
“The Brumby Government is taking action for Victorian families and the new free, statewide service would allow anyone to access support and advice to respond to the abuse, mistreatment or neglect of older people,” Ms Neville said.“With this new service help and reassurance are only a phone call away.“
Elder abuse can be financial, physical, emotional, social or psychological. It can 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.“It is difficult to know the full extent of elder abuse in Victoria, because many cases are not reported. However studies have estimated that between 1 and 5 per cent of older people experience some form of abuse or neglect.
“Seniors Rights Victoria will work to closely with professionals who regularly deal with the financial, medical and legal affairs of older people to ensure they understand the issues and can respond appropriately.“With the risk of elder abuse rising as our population ages, this service combines the resources and experience of the Council on the Ageing Victoria, two community legal centres and the Public Interest Law Clearing House.”Research commissioned by the Department of Planning and Community Development to measure the level of community awareness and concern about elder abuse has found that 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.
Attorney General Rob Hulls said with the support of Victoria Legal Aid, the new service would provide strong legal backing to prevent and respond to incidents of abuse. “As with victims of family violence and sexual assault, older people can find it difficult to voice complaints about abuse, especially if it involves a family member,” Mr Hulls said.
Anyone seeking assistance or information about elder abuse can phone Seniors Rights Victoria on 1300 368 821.
SOURCE: SeniorsVic
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