Physical assault most common elder abuse offence

New data shows physical assault is the most common form of elder abuse as police warn anyone who knows or suspects an older person is being abused to come forward.

Physical assaults against older people can involve hitting, kicking, pushing or rough handling which leaves the victim with injuries.

The Crime Statistics Agency data shows reports of elder abuse victims aged over 65 has increased 18 per cent in the year to December 2024.

There were 7002 reports of elder abuse during this period. Of these reports 1211 were physical assaults.

Elder abuse is any act which causes harm to an older person and is often carried out by someone the victim knows and trusts such as family, friends or carers.

It’s a complex crime because it abuses trust. It is a crime that takes many forms and doesn’t occur in isolation.

Any assault on an older person falls under the form of physical abuse as it involves an act that causes physical harm. Physical abuse can also involve restraining them or locking them in a room and can include deliberately misusing medication.

Other abuse can involve psychological manipulation and intimidation such as threatening to put an older person in an aged care home if they don’t do as demanded.

This could also involve adult children trying to sell the victim’s house without consent or forcing them to care for children or to work against their will.

The main forms of elder abuse include:

• Physical abuse: includes assaulting or causing physical harm to a family member or threatening to assault or cause personal injury.

• Financial abuse: using someone’s money, property or other assets illegally or improperly or forcing someone to change their will or sign documents.

• Emotional or psychological abuse: behaviour by one person towards another person that torments, intimidates, harasses or is offensive to the other person. This may include threats to harm pets or to withhold access to loved ones such as grandchildren.

• Social abuse: Stopping the older person from participating in usual forms of enjoyment.

• Neglect: Failing to provide failing to provide basic necessities like food, medication, or warmth.

Victims of elder abuse may be reluctant to report this type of crime because they are fearful and they may not want to get a family member into trouble. They may be trapped because they are dependent on the perpetrator for care or company.

That’s why Victoria Police is calling on people to not ignore the signs and speak up by making a report if they know, or suspect, an older person is being subjected to this crime.

Any information provided to police is crucial to help to stop those causing abuse to older people.

This call to action coincides with World Elder Abuse Awareness Day – held annually on 15 June – and is even more vital as this crime continues to rise.

Victoria Police is committed to responding to elder abuse, supporting victims and holding perpetrators to account.

If you or someone close to you discloses, they are a victim of elder abuse, please believe them and encourage them to contact police.

In an emergency call Triple Zero (000). If you can’t get to a phone, ask someone else to do it for you.

In non-urgent cases if you know or suspect an older person is being abused and prefer to make an anonymous report, you can do so online via the Crime Stoppers Victoria website

There are also many support services available. Victorians can contact Seniors’ Rights Victoria on the organisation’s free confidential helpline: 1300 368 821 or visit seniorsrights.org.au for further advice.

More information can be found online at Elder abuse

Quotes attributable to Family Violence Command Acting Superintendent Neil Herbert:

“Police unfortunately see the devastating impact of elder abuse every day – with the crime often carried out at the hands of someone the victim should be able to trust such as a family member, friend or even a paid carer.

“The physical abuse perpetrated against older people – such as hitting, kicking or pushing – is unacceptable and needs to stop. Abuse is never the answer and this is a crime.

“We encourage Victorians to recognise the signs of elder abuse and make a report to police if they know or suspect it’s occurring.

“The more we know – the more we can do something about it and keep older people safe.”

Sarah Vanin

Senior Media Adviser

Media Unit

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