Elder Abuse continues to have an inexplicable but insidious presence in our society.
There are several types of elder abuse including physical, sexual abuse, neglect, financial, emotional or psychological. What many people don't know is that the abusers are not usually faceless and unknown. Most abuse is carried out by family members and by those held in a position of trust by the older person.
On the International Day of Older Persons (Friday, October 1) Elder Abuse Action Australia and COTA (Council on the Ageing) Tasmania are holding an online public forum featuring expert panellists in the field of ageing and abuse, including moderator journalist Phillipa McDonald; Bianca Brijnath, Divisional Director Social Gerontology at the National Ageing Research Institute; Margherita Coppolino Intersectionality consultant & photographer; Wendy Morgan, Member of the NSW Ministerial Advisory Committee on Ageing (MAC); Guntawang Aboriginal Resources 2 Incorporated and Member of the Advisory Board to the NSW Commission on Ageing and Disability; Mary Patetsos, Chairperson Federation of Ethnic Communities' Councils of Australia (FECCA) and ACH Group Russell Westacott, Founding Member and Co-Chair Elder Abuse Action Australia (EAAA) and Member of the Advisory Board of the NSW on Ageing and Disability Commission EAAA.
"We know that across the spectrum of our many and diverse communities, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, and across gender, sexual orientation, disability, cultural and linguistic diversity, unique issues and specific challenges are being faced by these groups as they age," said Bev Lange, Executive Officer EAAA.
"Combined with the spectre of elder abuse being central across all these groups, it's incredibly important that we all come together as one to discuss the issues being faced and to share the perspectives from these diverse communities in order to understand experiences and bring about change.
"At the heart of the issue, is the fact that Elder Abuse still isn't widely understood by the greater community. What will surprise many people is that the most common forms of elder abuse are in fact financial and psychological abuse, and that the perpetrators of this type of abuse are most often people that the older person trusts - friends, helpers or family members such as children and grandchildren.
"Our panellists will bring their wealth of experiences, knowledge and expertise to a conversation about these concerns and ask how we can create a truly better future for all our older Australians."
Registration for the forum is free here