The release of the shocking data coincides with World Elder Abuse Awareness Day – held annually on June 15.
The Crime Statistics Agency data shows reports of elder abuse victims aged over 65 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.
Family Violence Command Acting Superintendent Neil Herbert said police unfortunately saw the devastating impact of elder abuse every day.
“We encourage Victorians to recognise the signs of elder abuse and make a report to police if they know or suspect it’s occurring’’ he said.
“The more we know, the more we can do something about it and keep older people safe.”
It’s a complex crime because it abuses trust. It is a crime that takes many forms and doesn’t occur in isolation.
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 necessities such as 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.
In an emergency, call 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
Victorians can contact Seniors’ Rights Victoria on the organisation’s free confidential helpline: 1300 368 821 or visit seniorsrights.org.au for further advice.
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