New research by Better Place Australia has found that many older Victorians are reluctant to engage with formal elder abuse systems, highlighting the need for more flexible, community-based support that respects individual preferences and concerns.
The study, based on a survey of 539 older Victorians, reveals that one in five older adults would be unlikely to seek support if they experienced mistreatment from a family member or carer.
While some would turn to police or hotlines, most respondents said they would first seek help from family (54%), friends (34%), or a GP (33%). Only 24% said they would initially contact police or an elder abuse hotline.
Men were significantly more likely than women to name the police as their first point of contact, a difference Better Place Australia’s General Manager for Older Person Services, Rhonda Withers, attributes to gendered social dynamics.
“Older men may be more likely to report abuse to police, possibly due to having fewer social connections and a greater tendency to act independently when they feel wronged,” she said. “In contrast, older women are often socialised to keep family matters private.”
Survey participants showed a clear preference for non-criminal, professional support that provides advice, resolution and empowerment. Many cited barriers such as fear of escalation, shame, uncertainty about who to contact, and concern for the person using violence.
Lead researcher Dr Sarah Marko said the findings call into question the current legal-heavy approach. “Legal and police pathways have an important place, but they shouldn’t be the default response. Older people want safe, accessible and empowering services that give them real options and respect their right to choose how to respond.”
Better Place Australia is urging government and service providers to invest in early intervention strategies and local, relationship-based responses to elder abuse.
“Elder abuse isn’t one-dimensional, and our response shouldn’t be either,” said Ms Withers. “A one-size-fits-all approach fails to meet the diverse needs of older victim-survivors.”
Dr Marko added: “This research highlights that the current elder abuse response system doesn’t always align with the preferences of older people.”
Related: ‘Decade of neglect’ exposed in elder abuse statistics
Ritchelle is a Content Producer for Healthcare Channel, Australia’s premier resource of information for healthcare.
