The South Australian Government, through Office for Ageing Well, continues to raise community awareness of elder abuse.
The seventh annual Stop Elder Abuse community awareness campaign started today – and will run for six weeks, until 20 June.
This year, the focus is on older people’s rights – the right to safety, dignity and autonomy – to be safe, to be treated in a way that makes them feel worthwhile, and to be free to live the life they choose.
It is vital that families, friends and the broader community respect older people’s rights and, if abuse is suspected, do something about it, in a way that upholds those rights.
Around one in 20 older Australians is experiencing some form of abuse from someone they know and trust, often a member of their own family.
In South Australia, financial and psychological abuse are most common, with older women more likely to be experiencing abuse from adult sons or daughters.
People experiencing Elder Abuse may display fear, sadness and neglect, amongst other signs.
Campaign messages are being disseminated to the general community this year through social and digital media, metropolitan and regional radio, and metropolitan press.
A range of promotional postcards and wallet cards can be downloaded from www.sahealth.sa.gov.au/stopelderabuse and the hashtag #stopelderabuse can be used if you are posting on social media.
Remember, if you have concerns, call the SA Abuse Prevention Phone Line on 1800 372 310 for free, confidential advice and support, or to make a report to the Adult Safeguarding Unit.
