Elder abuse in Australia: Prevalence

Findings from the National Elder Abuse Prevalence Study

Content type
Research snapshot
Published

August 2022

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This snapshot discusses elder abuse and presents material that some people may find distressing. If you or someone you know needs assistance, please call 1800 ELDERHelp (1800 353 374). A list of elder abuse support services is available at the end of this snapshot. If you are in immediate danger call Police on 000.

Overview

As part of the National Plan to Respond to the Abuse of Older Australians (Council of Attorneys-General, 2019), the Attorney-General’s Department commissioned the National Elder Abuse Prevalence Study (NEAPS) to investigate elder abuse. This snapshot provides the key findings of the Survey of Older People (2020), a nationally representative survey of 7,000 people aged 65 and over living in the community (i.e. they did not live in residential aged care settings). The full report on the NEAPS is available on the AIFS website.

How common is elder abuse?

According to the Survey of Older People, 15% of people aged 65 and older living in community dwellings in Australia reported an experience of at least one of five subtypes of elder abuse in the 12 months preceding the survey.

Figure 1: Prevalence of elder abuse

Figure 1: Prevalence of elder abuse: Overall prevalence rate of abuse is 15%; Psychological abuse 12%; Multiple types of abuse 4%; Neglect 3%; Financial abuse 2%; Physical abuse 2%; Sexual abuse 1%

Of the survey participants who reported an experience of abuse, 24% reported multiple types of abuse.

Who experiences elder abuse?

There was limited gender difference in the prevalence rate of elder abuse:

Prevalence rates are slightly higher for women (16%) than for men (14%).

Anyone can experience elder abuse, but some older people were more likely to experience it than others. Socio-demographic characteristics that were associated with a higher likelihood of experiencing elder abuse include being separated or divorced or never married, having stepchildren, owning a home with a mortgage or renting (including living in public housing), and living in a disadvantaged area.

An experience of elder abuse was associated with poorer physical health, poorer psychological health and a lower sense of social connection.

Who commits elder abuse?

Figure 2: Relationship of perpetrators to the participants who experienced abuse (as % of all perpetrators)

Figure 2: Relationship of perpetrators to the participants who experienced abuse (as % of all perpetrators): Bar chart - Son/daughter 18.0%; Friend 11.6%; Partner/spouse 10.4%; Acquaintance 9.4%; Son in-law/daughter in-law 7.4%; Neighbour 6.6%; Service provider 5.8%; Other family members 5.2%; Grandson/granddaughter 3.6%; Brother/sister 3.4%; Professional carer 3.0%; Stepson/Stepdaughter 2.2%; Ex-partner/ex-spouse 1.4%; Brother-in-law/sister-in-law 1.3%; Other 3.3%

Note: An older person may report more than one perpetrator in relation to an abuse subtype.

While children were the largest perpetrator group for all subtypes of elder abuse except sexual abuse, perpetrator groups differ for each abuse subtype (Figure 3).

Figure 3: Main perpetrator groups by elder abuse subtype

Figure 3: Main perpetrator groups by elder abuse subtype: Bar chart - Sexual: Friend 42%, acquaintance 13%, neighbour 9%; Financial: children 33%, friend 9%, brother/sister 7%; Neglect: Spouse/partner 25%, children 24%, service provider 14%; Psychological: Children 18%, acquaintance 12%, son-in-law/dughter-in-law 10%; Physical: Children 17% , spouse/partner 12%, neighbour 12%

Do people who experience elder abuse seek help?

Figure 4: Proportion of older persons who experienced elder abuse who sought help or advice, by abuse subtype

Figure 4: Proportion of older persons who experienced elder abuse who sought help or advice, by abuse subtype: Bar chart - Overall, 36% sought help or advice; Physical 50%; Psychological 40%; Financial 30%; Sexual 24%; Neglect 20%;

Older people who sought help or advice typically turned to family members or friends.

Regardless of whether they reported seeking help or advice from a third party, eight in 10 older persons who experienced elder abuse indicated that they took action, or had action taken on their behalf, to stop the abuse from happening again (Figure 5).

Figure 5: Action taken by older persons who experienced elder abuse

Figure 5: Action taken by older persons who experienced elder abuse: Bar chart - I spoke to the person 53%; I broke contact with or avoid the person involved 42%; A family member or friend spoke to the person on my behalf 20%; I stopped going out or withdrew from social life in general 13%; I sought mediation or counselling 10%; A professional (social worker, doctor, nurse) spoke to the person on my behalf 9%; I sought out a legal advice service 9%; A straining order or saftey order was made against the person 4%; At least one action taken 82%

Figure 6: Proportion of people who took any action to stop the abuse, by subtype

Figure 6: Proportion of people who took any action to stop the abuse, by subtype: Circular graph - Physical 93%; Psychological 85%; Sexual 84%; Financial 79%; Neglect 63%

Support services/Helplines

  • If you have any concerns about potential or actual elder abuse, please contact 1800 ELDERHelp (1800 353 374) to be redirected to the existing phone line service in your state or territory (free call).
  • If you or someone you know have experienced violence or sexual assault and require immediate or ongoing assistance, contact 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) to talk to a counsellor from the National Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence hotline.
  • For confidential support and information, contact Safe Steps’ 24/7 family violence response line on 1800 015 188 or the Men’s Referral Service on 1300 766 491.
  • For a confidential discussion with an experienced counsellor, call Lifeline on 13 11 14.
Acknowledgements

Featured image: GettyImages/Anna Derzhina

Citation

Australian Institute of Family Studies. (2022). Elder abuse in Australia: Prevalence. (Findings from the National Elder Abuse Prevalence Study). Melbourne: Australian Institute of Family Studies.

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