Government launches new campaign to tackle elder abuse
The federal government has launched a new campaign to tackle elder abuse.
According to the National Elder Abuse Prevalence Study, one in six older Australians experienced abuse last year, with 61 per cent of victims not seeking for help or advice.
The Albanese government will spend $4.8 million on the campaign which includes a series of commercials.
Council on the Ageing Australia chief executive Patricia Sparrow said the organisation believed cases were under reported.
"That's why we think it's incredibly important to raise this awareness," Sparrow said.
"It mostly comes from someone they know, which makes it very difficult for older people to report it or know what to do."
Labor senator Jenny McAllister told Sky News: "This is something that the community needs to start thinking about. It's a scourge.
"We need to eliminate it and the right place to start is with conversations with people we know and care about."
"If you're feeling a little uncertain, if you think something is wrong and you're an older Australian you should speak up about it," she added.
With an ageing population, it's important to raise awareness that elder abuse is not just physical violence, but emotional, financial and psychological abuse too.
The commercials will run on TV, online and at medical clinics from July 28 and they aim to encourage older people to open up about the poor treatment they receive, including from their children and grandchildren.
Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus will formally announce the campaign at the National Elder Abuse Conference in Adelaide on Monday.
He said that elder abuse was a shameful and often hidden form of cruelty and mistreatment.
"It is ugly, it is unacceptable and it must be eliminated," he said.
"It is critical that we continue to work together as a community to promote the rights and safety of older people, and ensure that everyone is able to age with dignity and respect."
Images: Nine