Elder abuse

At least one in six older Australians experience elder abuse in their lifetime. It can happen to yourself, or an older person you know.

Elder abuse is a crime. Victoria Police treats all reports of abuse against older people very seriously.

About elder abuse

We define elder abuse as any act by a trusted person or a family member causing harm to an older person. It can happen once or repeat over time.

Victims often hide the abuse as they feel ashamed or scared. They may be dependent on their abusive family member or trying to protect them.

Elder abuse is a form of family violence, because the abuser is a family member, or a close, trusted person.

Elder abuse is against the law and falls under the Family Violence Protection Act 2008.

You should report elder abuse of either yourself or of any older person.

Victims

An older person is often defined as being:

over 65 years
over 55 years for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people

By 2050 over 20% of Australians will be over 65. As our population gets older, elder abuse is likely to increase.

A 2021 Australian study shows that one in six older people experience elder abuse. This number is likely higher as older people are often reluctant to report the abuse.

Whilst both men and women can experience elder abuse, most victims are women. Elder abuse is a common type of family violence experienced by men.

Abusers

The person abusing the older person can be:

an intimate partner (who may have a history of using family violence)
an adult child
an adult grandchild
other family member, or
a carer who is like a family member.

Adult children and grandchildren are the main perpetrators of elder abuse.

Examples of elder abuse

Elder abuse can happen in many different ways.

This type of elder abuse involves hurting the older person’s feelings and self-esteem. It often happens within families and can be difficult to spot.
It includes:
- stopping an older person from making their own decisions
- blaming or embarrassing them about their care needs
- threatening to block contact with grandchildren, family or friends
- threatening to harm people, pets or property.
A trusted person or a family member sometimes takes or misuses an older person’s money or assets illegally and without their permission. This can cause a lot of harm and stress for the victim.
The abuser can often:
- use older person’s bank accounts, credit cards and online banking without permission
- force or trick the older person into changing their will or sign documents, including abusing power of attorney
- pressure the older person to hand over personal items like jewellery
- borrow money without repaying it.
Neglect happens when an older person doesn’t receive proper basic care.
Some examples are:
- not providing the older person with proper food, drink or medication
- stopping access to medical treatment, glasses, hearing or mobility aids
- ignoring the older person’s personal care and hygiene needs.
Social elder abuse isolates the victim from their family, friends and social activities. It can make the victim sad, withdrawn or afraid.
The abuser may:
- withhold mail
- limit or control contact with friends and family
- stop the older person from taking part in their social interests or cultural practices.
Physical abuse involves any act that is is causing physical harm to the victim.
Physical elder abuse may include:
- pushing, hitting or rough handling
- restraining or locking the victim in a room or building
- misusing medication or household chemicals.
Sexual abuse of an older person involves any unwanted sexual contact or behaviour. This includes rape. Sexual abuse causes harm and injury. It can make the victim feel uncomfortable and distressed. The victims often feel ashamed or scared to tell someone or report it to police.
It is important to remember that older people can be unable to give consent. This is due to illnesses like dementia or Alzheimer’s.
Sexual elder abuse may include:
- watching sexually explicit material around the older person without consent
- speaking about sexual activities in a way that makes the older person uncomfortable or threatened
- rough or inappropriate touching
- rape.

Some abuse of older people is not family violence, for example when a stranger commits the abuse.

How to report elder abuse

If you are someone experiencing elder abuse, or would like to report it, you can:

call Triple Zero (000) in an emergency
- if English is not your first language, call Triple Zero (000) and tell them your language. They will connect an interpreter.
- the National Relay Service can help with an emergency call if you are hard of hearing or have difficulty being understood verbally.
contact your local police station

Further action after reporting

Victoria Police will act to protect victims of elder abuse, this may be by:

seeking a Family Violence Safety Notice or Family Violence Intervention Order
investigating any criminal acts
referring the victim (as well as their abuser) to community support services who can help.

Further resources for senior Victorians

You might be unsure what to do, or reluctant to contact police about elder abuse.

There are many non-government community services who can help with advice and support:

Seniors Rights Victoria(opens in a new window)
1300 368 821 Mon - Fri 10am-5pm
Compass Guiding(opens in a new window) action on elder abuse
1800 ELDERHelp (1800 353 374)
Eastern Community Legal Service, Elder Abuse Services(opens in a new window)
1300 325 200
Victims of Crime(opens in a new window) Helpline
1800 819 817 7 days 8am - 11pm
Victoria Legal Aid(opens in a new window)
1300 792 387 Mon - Fri 9am - 5pm; free telephone advice in a range of languages
Safe Steps(opens in a new window) Family Violence Response Centre for women and children
1800 015 188 24 hours
Men's Referral Service(opens in a new window) support and referral for men
1300 766 491 Mon - Fri 8am - 9pm
Sexual Assault Crisis Line(opens in a new window)
1800 806 292 24 hours
Child Protection Service DFFH(opens in a new window)
131 278 24 hours
The Orange Door(opens in a new window)
A free service for those experiencing family violence
Better Place Australia(opens in a new window)
1800 639 523
Housing state-wide referral for emergency housing
1800 825 955 24 hrs
Office of the Public Advocate(opens in a new window)
1300 309 337
State Trustees(opens in a new window)
1300 138 672
Dementia Australia(opens in a new window)
1800 100 500
Behind the Curtain(opens in a new window)
a film by Eastern Community Legal Centre
Within my Walls(opens in a new window)
a film by Ethnic Communities Council Victoria in a range of languages other than English (LOTE)
Domestic Violence Resource Centre Victoria (DVRVC) Information on Elder Abuse(opens in a new window)
Magistrates' Court(opens in a new window)
family violence intervention orders (FVIO) information

Crime

Updated 12 October 2023