Roger Jaensch,Minister for Human Services
The Hodgman Liberal Government is committed to reducing ageism and preventing elder abuse in our community so that older Tasmanians are respected, protected and cared for.
Elder abuse, in any form, is not OK. It is one of the worst manifestations of ageism and inequality in our society.
World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, on 15 June, is an annual observance day to bring attention to the issue of Elder Abuse.
In Tasmania, World Elder Abuse Awareness Day will be marked today with the Council on the Ageing (COTA) Tasmania’s Walk Against Elder Abuse, with walks taking place in both Launceston and Hobart.
We are proud to support the event today by providing $100,000 annually to COTA to deliver peer education and awareness raising activities.
This is in addition to our commitment to recurrently fund the Tasmanian Elder Abuse Helpline, and the $850,000 provided in the 2019-20 State Budget to support Tasmania’s updated elder abuse strategy, Respect and Protect Older Tasmanians: Tasmania’s Elder Abuse Prevention Strategy 2019-2022, that we are releasing today.
The updated Strategy has been developed with supporting actions to ensure that we are raising awareness of elder abuse and responding appropriately to it, by educating and providing services that respond to the issue of elder abuse.
The future focus of the strategy will be on safeguarding the elderly, and working across government and the community to determine the best way we can protect older Tasmanians from abuse and harm.
Anyone experiencing elder abuse in Tasmania is encouraged to call the Tasmanian Elder Abuse Helpline on 1800 44 11 69.
The Respect and Protect Older Tasmanians: Tasmania’s Elder Abuse Prevention Strategy 2019-2022 is available here: https://bit.ly/2F7mhHC
