INVESTIGATING ELDER ABUSE TOGETHER
We know a lot about Elder Abuse.
In Qld 95% of abuse is caused by a family member, a son or daughter contributes 71% of this. Daughters and Sons are almost equally responsible diverging from the gendered violence of intimate partner DV. Adult children are murdering, assaulting and taking money from their parents either fraudulently or by stealing. Many of these adult children are committing serious crimes that are not being reported or being ignored by victims, other family, society and support services. The barriers to not reporting are similar to intimate partner Domestic Violence. Reliance for support, shelter, food, social connection. Desire to maintain a relationship with the perpetrator because of love or family. Fear of self or others being harmed or property damage. Fear of social isolation. And yet we still struggle to manage Elder Abuse within the DV investigative framework that has matured significantly over the past 8 years. Risk Assessment Tools, case management, organisational Data sharing legislation, collaborative teams across agencies both Govt and Non Govt. AND yet aged care providers, health services and society generally still see Elder Abuse differently. Yes it is different in that the victim is older, vulnerable, and possibly socially isolated, but it is Family Violence. How do we work together to hold perpetrators to account? In Qld the police are connected to over 100 support agencies. As state coordinator I am active across layered Govt and non Govt agencies, advocating, participating and building structured reporting pathways. Trusting each other with information takes professional courage. Accepting we all play a role in the prevention, disruption, response and Investigation of Elder Abuse is our collective responsibility. Respecting each others business is the key to collaboration.