National Prevention Framework

Introduction

Everyone has the right to feel safe, respected, valued, and in control of their own life as they age.

But across Australia, older people continue to experience abuse and mistreatment. It is not always easy to see. Harm can happen in families, friendships, caring relationships, services, institutions, and communities. It can involve violence, neglect, pressure, control, humiliation, financial exploitation, isolation, or decisions being made about an older person without them.

It may happen gradually, in private, or in relationships where there is love, dependence, obligation, fear or trust. It may be explained away as ‘care’, ‘help’, ‘family business’, ‘stress’ or ‘just the way things are’. It may also be caused or made worse by services and systems that are hard to access, unsafe, discriminatory, overly complex, or unclear.

Research tells us that around 1 in 6 older people in the Australian community has experienced some form of abuse in the previous year. The true extent of harm is likely to be higher, because abuse and mistreatment is often hidden or underreported. Some older people may not recognise what is happening as abuse. Some may feel ashamed, fear losing family relationships or care, or not know where to get safe help. People around them may also miss the signs, feel unsure what to do, or assume that someone else is better placed to act.

Prevention means acting early. It means building families, communities, services, and systems where older people are respected, heard, connected and supported. It means strengthening rights, dignity, autonomy, and choice before harm occurs. It also means noticing risks before they escalate and responding safely when abuse or mistreatment has happened.