Policy

Evidence suggests that elder abuse is a significant, growing, and distinct form of family violence that intersects with suicide risk in later life yet remains inadequately captured within current systems. Improving the visibility of elder abuse across prevention, service delivery, data collection, and coronial investigation is critical to strengthening DFSV-related suicide prevention and ensuring that older people are not overlooked in policy, practice, and reform efforts.

We are pleased to have the opportunity to contribute to the finalisation of new guidelines on payment of rates and charges to local councils across Victoria.

This submission reflects emerging pressures across Victoria’s elder abuse and family violence systems. It calls for strategic investment through the 2026–27 Victorian State Budget to strengthen prevention, early intervention, response, and recovery.

We set out a select collection of funding initiatives under the umbrella of five priority areas that we believe warrant serious consideration across Victorian Government portfolios for support in the 2026-27 Victorian State Budget.