Nic Street,Minister for Community Services and Development
The Tasmanian Liberal Government is committed to reducing ageism and preventing elder abuse to ensure that older Tasmanians are respected, protected and cared for in our communities.
On World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, observed worldwide each year on 15 June, Tasmanians will walk with our funded peak body, the Council on The Ageing Tasmania (COTA), and other key stakeholders across Hobart, Launceston and Burnie, to raise awareness of this often hidden issue.
Preventing elder abuse is a community responsibility that demands all areas of society actively address its causes and reduce its harmful effects, and today provides the opportunity to bring people together to take a stand against the abuse of older people and to promote respect and dignity for older people.
Elder abuse can occur both inside and outside the home and is often committed by people in a position of trust. That's why more than ever we all need to work together to support older Tasmanians.
The Tasmanian Liberal Government is proud to support the event held today and invests $100,000 annually to COTA to deliver peer education and awareness-raising activities. This funding is part of a broader investment of $1.76 million over two years to implement our Respect and Protect Older Tasmanians – Tasmania's Elder Abuse Prevention Strategy 2019-2022.
Key initiatives delivered so far under the Strategy include the elder abuse awareness campaign "It's OK to ask the question", and the development of an elder abuse website that provides a range of information, including what elder abuse is, signs of elder abuse and how to access advice and help.
Our Government has also funded Legal Aid to develop Elder Abuse awareness resources for a range of audiences, including people experiencing or at risk of experiencing financial abuse, and service providers and people who are appointed enduring guardians or granted power of attorney. Additionally, our funding supports the Tasmanian Elder Abuse Helpline which provides information, advice, support and referrals for people experiencing elder abuse or who are concerned about elder abuse.
The Respect and Protect Older Tasmanians: Tasmania's Elder Abuse Prevention Strategy 2019-2022 is available here: https://www.communities.tas.gov.au/disability/projects/elder_abuse
