Researchers from the Australian Institute of Family Studies (AIFS) are calling on LGBTIQA+ people to help them investigate abuse and mistreatment of older LGBTIQA+ people in Australia.

LGBTIQA+ people aged 18+ years are invited to contribute – whether they have lived experience of abuse or not – by completing a survey or, if they are an older person, participating in an interview or focus group.

This research will help Government to better understand the types of abuse that older LGBTIQA+ people experience, the characteristics of those who experience and engage in this abuse, the impact on older LGBTIQA+ people, and their help-seeking behaviours.

Research Fellow at AIFS, Dr Luke Gahan, said the abuse of older people is a significant issue in Australia.

'The landmark National Elder Abuse Prevalence Study led by AIFS indicated that approximately 15% of people aged 65+ reported an experience of elder abuse in the 12 months prior – including physical, sexual, financial or neglect,' Dr Gahan said.

'Through this current study we would like to explore how this issue specifically affects older LGBTIQA+ people. How do they experience it, what drives it, and what are the characteristics of both the people experiencing this abuse and mistreatment and those engaging in this behaviour? Are the types of abuse experienced by older LGBTIQA+ people different to the general population, and if so, what does that look like?'

Dr Gahan said all LGBTIQA+ people aged 18+ are invited to complete the survey. Researchers are also seeking participants for interviews and focus groups involving LGBTIQA+ individuals aged 55 years and older.

'Whether you have experienced abuse as an older person, supported someone who has, or have no awareness of the issue at all, if you are an LGBTIQA+ person aged 18 or over, we’d love to hear from you,' Dr Gahan said.

AIFS is experienced in researching the abuse and mistreatment of older people – also called ‘elder abuse’. In 2021 AIFS published the first National Elder Abuse Prevalence Study (NEAPS), and in 2024 published an Evaluation of the National Pan to Respond to the Abuse of Older Australians

As with other earlier research in this space, this current study has been commissioned by the Attorney General’s Department, and will inform future policy and practice.

AIFS has partnered with Queerspace, a division of Drummond Street services, to undertake this project and the research is being guided by an LGBTIQA+ lived experience advisory panel (LEAP).

To complete the anonymous survey, please access the participant information sheet and scroll down to ‘take the survey’. To express interest in being part of an interview or focus group, please email [email protected]

To find out more about the study and all the ways you can get involved see our webpage on the study.

AIFS conducts original research to increase understanding of Australian families and the issues that affect them, see aifs.gov.au.