The Albanese Labor Government is working to combat the prevalence of gender-based violence against older people in Australia through providing education and awareness raising materials.
More than $940,000 will be allocated to develop materials for in-home support workers that will be aimed at helping them to better identify and intervene to support where older people are experiencing family, domestic or sexual violence in their homes.
This may include where older Australians are experiencing financial or emotional abuse, or coercive control, by their intimate partners or another family member.
The initiative is funded under the First Action Plan Priorities fund, announced as part of the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2022-2032, and will run through to 2025-26.
The National Elder Abuse Prevalence Study found that 11 per cent of women aged 65 and over have been victims of intimate partner violence.
Further, findings from the 2021-22 Personal Safety Survey estimated that 17,300 women aged 55 years and over, had experienced sexual violence in the last two years and 4284 of women aged 55 and over had experienced partner violence over the same period.
Minister for Social Services Amanda Rishworth highlighted the importance of preparing in-home support workers to identify and respond to varying types of abuse, further connecting older Australians affected by violence with the services they need.
"Family, domestic and sexual violence does not discriminate by age. Intimate partner violence, economic abuse or control perpetrated by an adult child or another family member are types of gender-based violence which can affect older women," Minister Rishworth said.
"Our ongoing goal is to ensure our support workers are well equipped to engage with older Australians and are able to provide high quality support and necessary intervention in instances of family, domestic, and sexual violence.
"This initiative is a crucial step to improve awareness, knowledge and responses to address the types of gender-based violence that can affect older people living in their homes, and ensure our workforce is prepared to handle those situations as best they can."
The materials to be developed include learning modules accessible both online and offline to ensure in-home support workers in low or non-connectivity areas across Australia have access to the same materials. The modules will aim to provide information on what constitutes abuse, how to respond and where to refer people for support.
This will enable workers and professionals engaging with or likely to engage with older Australians to provide high quality support and intervention where there are instances of family, domestic or sexual violence.
If you or someone you know is experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, domestic, family or sexual violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732, chat online via www.1800RESPECT.org.au, or text 0458 737 732.
If you are concerned about your behaviour or use of violence, you can contact the Men's Referral Service on 1300 766 491 or visit www.ntv.org.au
Feeling worried or no good? No shame, no judgement, safe place to yarn. Speak to a 13YARN Crisis Supporter, call 13 92 76. This service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
