The Australian Human Rights Commission has produced bookmarks and posters in 20 languages to empower communities to recognise elder abuse and know where to seek help.
The release of these resources coincides with World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (tomorrow Wednesday 15 June), a day which takes place every year, throughout the world, to call out the abuse and exploitation of older people as a human rights violation that has no place in any society.
“We know that around one in six older Australians have experienced elder abuse within a 12-month period, but only about one-third of those victims sought help,” Age Discrimination Commissioner the Hon Dr Kay Patterson AO said.
“As a community we need to do more to shine a light on this hidden problem, including among culturally and linguistically diverse and other minority groups.
“Our elder abuse awareness bookmarks and posters are now available in the 20 languages most spoken by older Australians. They are designed to increase community understanding of the signs of elder abuse and the National Elder Abuse phone line.”
Elder abuse can be psychological, emotional, financial, physical, sexual or neglect. It often takes place behind closed doors and is commonly perpetrated by adult children or people within the older person’s trusted circle.
“It is up to each and everyone of us to stop elder abuse in our communities by knowing the signs and where to get support,” Dr Patterson said.
“Let us join together in saying no to elder abuse today and every day. We are all part of the solution.”
If you experience, witness or suspect elder abuse, you can call the National Elder Abuse phone line on 1800 ELDERHelp (1800 3653 374) for information, support and referrals.
To download the elder abuse bookmarks and posters in 20 languages to share with your community, visit www.humanrights.gov.au/elderabuse
The National Elder Abuse phone line is Australia-wide, free and confidential. Call the National Elder Abuse phone line on 1800 ELDERHelp or 1800 353 374 for information, support and referrals.
The bookmarks and posters are available in:
- Arabic
- Chinese (Simplified)
- Chinese (Traditional)
- Croatian
- Dutch
- English
- French
- German
- Greek
- Hindi
- Hungarian
- Italian
- Macedonian
- Maltese
- Polish
- Russian
- Serbian
- Spanish
- Tagalog
- Vietnamese
