The City of Sydney’s community centres will this month host free information sessions for older people to learn more about their rights and available support services to protect them from abuse.
The City of Sydney has partnered with NSW Elder Abuse Helpline to provide the free information sessions and ongoing advice to local residents on this growing human rights issue.
Abuse of older people often goes unrecognised in the community, but research suggests that as many as 50,000 older people in NSW may have experienced some form of elder abuse.
“Older generations deserve respect and the right to age with dignity and the City is playing its part to prevent and respond to elder abuse when it occurs in our community,” Lord Mayor Clover Moore said.
“From championing social issues and protecting the environment to building the businesses and communities we benefit from today, our older generations continue to make enormous contributions to our city.
“Elder abuse is a form of domestic and family violence and is unacceptable in our community. The City has a zero tolerance approach to all forms of violence and is working with Police, support services and the community to raise awareness, prevent violence from occurring and to support those at risk.”
Staff at the City’s community centres have been trained to look for signs of elder abuse and are able to provide advice and support to someone who may be a victim.
Older people can hear from specialists across the areas of law, policing and human rights, find out more about the Australian aged-care system, receive advice on local support services and have their questions answered by the experts.
Independent Mandarin and Spanish interpreters will be at some sessions and multi-language pocket guides will be available to take home.
The World Health Organisation defines elder abuse a single or repeated act occurring within any relationship where there is an expectation of trust which causes harm or distress to an older person.
Elder abuse can be physical, psychological or emotional, sexual or financial abuse. Intentional or unintentional neglect is also considered as a form of elder abuse.
Research suggests that as many as 50,000 older people in NSW may have experienced some form of abuse
The majority of alleged abusers are trusted family members, neighbours, friends or paid carers.
The NSW Elder Abuse Helpline estimates that only one in five cases of elder abuse are reported.
Everyone Deserves Respect: Understanding your rights Information sessions for older people
The City of Sydney and NSW Elder Abuse Helpline are providing free information sessions for older people in the community. Hear from specialists and have your questions answered by experts in law, policing and human rights. Learn more about the Australian aged care system and find out about local support services.
There will be representatives from the City of Sydney, NSW Elder Abuse Helpline and Resource Unit, NSW Police, Domestic Violence NSW, Homelessness NSW, Justice Connect and the Ethnic Communities’ Council of NSW.
Potts Point When: 1.30pm–3.30pm, Tuesday 28 November Where: Reginald Murphy Centre, 19 Greenknowne Ave, Potts Point RSVP: 02 8374 6310
Ultimo When: 1.30–3.30pm, Wednesday 29 November Where: Ultimo Community Centre, 40 William Henry Street, Ultimo (entry via Bulwara Road) Interpreter: An independent Mandarin interpreter will be available RSVP: 02 9298 3103
Ultimo When: 12.30–2.30pm, Friday 1 December Where: Ultimo Community Centre, 40 William Henry Street, Ultimo (entry via Bulwara Road) Interpreter: An independent Spanish interpreter will be available RSVP: 02 9298 3103
For media inquiries, contact Senior Media Advisor Angela Salt. Phone 0455 958 503 or email asalt@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au
For interviews with Lord Mayor Clover Moore, phone 02 8974 4165 or email media@clovermoore.com.au
Image credit: NSW Elder Abuse Helpline