Submission on the next stage of Victoria’s work to end family violence

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About this submission

In introducing the feedback provided in this submission, it is important for COTA Victoria and SRV to acknowledge the commendable efforts of the state government in addressing family violence more broadly.

This submission focuses specifically on elder abuse, a unique form of family violence, and addresses the broader needs and challenges faced by older individuals. The insights and real-world experiences of advocates, lawyers, and social workers who work directly with older people and victims of elder abuse heavily inform this submission. Furthermore, it draws upon years of research and advocacy conducted by COTA Victoria and other branches of the Council on the Ageing Federation, as well as other notable organisations referenced throughout.

The purpose of this submission is to respond directly to the consultation questions while also offering crucial context and discussion regarding elder abuse. It is noteworthy that some of the consultation questions do not directly pertain to elder abuse. This indicates areas where Building Foundations and the Victorian Government’s work in ending family violence might require additional focus. Nevertheless, we endeavour to provide relevant and constructive responses to each question, contributing positively to this consultation.

Executive summary

This submission aims to address the critical issue of elder abuse within the context of family violence, drawing attention to the unique challenges and needs faced by older individuals. It acknowledges the Victorian Government’s efforts in combating family violence while emphasising the need for specialised focus on elder abuse.

Elder abuse, as defined by the World Health Organisation, encompasses various forms of maltreatment against older individuals within trusted relationships. It is a multifaceted issue, involving financial, emotional, psychological, physical, sexual, or social abuse. Alarmingly, most elder abuse cases involve perpetrators who are known to the victim, often adult children or other family members. This form of abuse is not only widespread but also increasing with the ageing population. In Victoria alone, an estimated 220,000 older adults experience elder abuse annually.

While elder abuse shares commonalities with family violence, it is distinct in its dynamics and motivations. Elder abuse often arises from ageism and the exploitation of trust, diverging from the dominance, control and aggression seen in general family violence. Consequently, responses to elder abuse require tailored approaches, recognising its unique aspects such as the balanced gender distribution of perpetrators and the varying profile of perpetrators.

The submission assesses Building Foundations for its insufficient focus on elder abuse, urging for a more detailed exploration of this issue. It recommends several steps to improve its current approach:

1. Promote recognition and awareness of elder abuse as distinct from other forms of family violence, and appropriately factor that into policies and programs.
2. Better incorporate elder abuse as a distinct form of family violence in the existing family violence system.
3. Incentivise training and curriculum to include elder abuse in social work and academic sectors.
4. Engage in awareness campaigns amongst the public and in all levels of schooling, including teaching respectful intergenerational relationships and addressing ageism.
5. Enhance support for elder abuse victims through funding and establishing specialised services, as well as expanding family violence services to better deal with elder abuse.
6. Introduce measures to hold perpetrators accountable and protect victims, especially in situations where the abuse is not reported as a crime, and where time is a significant factor.
7. Make provisions for barriers prevalent amongst older people, such as digital illiteracy, health and cultural.

The submission also emphasises the importance of involving those with lived experiences in policy and service development, ensuring that their unique perspectives shape future strategies. It calls for intersectional approaches that cater to diverse community needs, recognising that elder abuse affects individuals across various backgrounds.