The LGBTIQA+ experience of elder abuse

‘Every Victorian – without exception – deserves to be safe, supported and equal.’

—Pride in our future: Victoria’s LGBTIQA+ strategy 2023–32

In 2020, the National Elder Abuse Prevalence Study found that 1 in 6 older people in Australia have experienced elder abuse. Victoria’s Commissioner for LGBTIQA+ Communities, Joe Ball, talked to Compass about the experience of elder abuse among older LGBTIQA+ people.

The LGBTIQA+ experience of elder abuse

Commissioner Ball explained that older LGBTIQA+ people may experience unique forms of elder abuse linked to their sexuality or gender. Some examples he gave were when an older person’s family member or loved one:

• pressures an older person to conform to the ‘norms’ of the gender assigned at birth

• threatens to ‘out’ an older person’s gender identity or sexuality without their consent

• ostracises or cuts contact with an older person because of their gender identity or sexuality.1

‘Further research is needed to support us to understand what drives and perpetuates the abuse and mistreatment of older people in LGBTIQA+ communities,’ the Commissioner said.

‘I understand that the Australian Institute of Family Studies is finalising a research project that looks at how older LGBTIQA+ people experience abuse and mistreatment.2 My hope is that this research shines a light on this hidden, underreported form of family violence.’

Increased vulnerability of LGBTIQA+ people

Historical discrimination, systemic exclusion and deep-set social stigma have left older LGBTIQA+ people particularly vulnerable to economic insecurity, social isolation and health inequality. These are all factors that can be associated with an increased risk of experiencing elder abuse.

Practices such as homosexuality being criminalised, same-sex marriage or parenthood not being legally recognised, and surgery being required before recognising gender transition or diversity, have caused long-term trauma with ongoing impact.

‘Older LGBTIQA+ people have lived through – and continue to experience – intense discrimination and marginalisation,’ Commissioner Ball said. ‘This legacy has lasting effects, which can manifest as risk factors for abuse and mistreatment.’

Some effects the Commissioner mentioned were:

• living alone: older people from LGBTIQA+ communities are 7 times more likely to live alone3

• social isolation: being cut off from their families of origin after transitioning or coming out can make it difficult for older LGBTIQA+ people to access support

• housing and financial insecurity: LGBTIQA+ people are at least twice as likely to have experienced homelessness, compared to the general population4; one survey of 295 older LGBTIQA+ people found that their rates of home ownership were less than half the national average, and 43% had no superannuation5

• compounding disadvantage: LGBTIQA+ people may experience discrimination or abuse on multiple grounds, such as sexuality, gender and age. ‘Older queer and trans women and gender-diverse people tend to be even worse off. There is a real problem with older lesbians and trans women experiencing housing instability and homelessness.’

The Commissioner also noted that older LGBTIQA+ people ‘often feel they need to hide their identity to access mainstream support services, including aged care’.6 When older LGBTIQA+ people don’t feel able to present as themselves to get help, abusive behaviour may continue and escalate. 

Victorian support for elder abuse

Commissioner Ball said that the Victorian Government funds a range of initiatives to prevent and respond to elder abuse, including:

• statewide elder abuse helpline (call 1300 368 821)delivered by Seniors Rights Victoria

• a counselling and mediation service, available through certain Orange Door Networks

• 8 Elder Abuse Prevention Networks, which provide community-based prevention initiatives and raise awareness of elder abuse in communities across Victoria

• an Elder Abuse Learning Hub for professionals working with older people

• awareness-raising sessions with multicultural communities

The Victorian Government has also provided $600,000 to establish the Elder Abuse Capability Development Program to train frontline workers to recognise elder abuse in the community. This program is a partnership between Safe and Equal and Council on the Ageing (COTA) Victoria. It will equip specialist family violence practitioners to identify and respond to elder abuse, including LGBTIQA+ people.

The Victorian Government also funds programs that support older people (including those from LGBTQIA+ communities) to age well, including: 

• the Pride in Ageing pilot program, a pioneering project delivered by Switchboard Victoria, that builds regional organisational LGBTIQA+ capability in aged care services and local councils and strengthens social connection

• the Seniors Card, which discounts public transport fares and various goods and services to make getting out and about more affordable.

Successful ageing for an LGBTIQA+ person

‘Successful ageing looks like being treated with respect, being connected with services and engaged with community, having choice and social opportunities, and staying healthy and mentally and physically active,’ said Commissioner Ball.

The stigma, isolation and criminalisation that older LGBTIQA+ people may have experienced during their lifetime may mean that some are now very private about their gender and sexuality or intersex status. The Commissioner gave the example of older LGBTIQA+ people returning to ‘the closet’ out of fear when they enter aged care services. These people are more likely to experience isolation and be reluctant to engage with the support services they need.

‘That is why initiatives such as Pride in Ageing are so important in supporting LGBTIQA+ Victorians to have strong community and social connections as they age,’ Commissioner Ball said.

The Pride in Ageing program

The Victorian Government is supporting this 4-year initiative, which aims to make sure older LGBTIQA+ Victorians can age with dignity, connection and pride. Pride in Ageing puts lived experiences at the centre of co-designing appropriate supports.

Delivered by Switchboard Victoria, the program is building local and regional partnerships with councils, libraries, community organisations, and health and aged care services to support new approaches to community engagement and connection for older LGBTIQA+ people. It’s part of Victoria’s first 10-year plan for LGBTIQA+ equality, Pride in our future: Victoria’s LGBTIQA+ strategy 2022–32.

Commissioner Ball was pleased to report that the pilot program reached a significant milestone in October 2025, when 4 Regional Coordinators were appointed to lead the work.

‘These coordinators are driving place-based initiatives across East Gippsland, Wodonga, Warrnambool and Golden Plains,’ he said, ‘strengthening local connection and expanding opportunities for older LGBTIQA+ Victorians to feel safe, respected and connected within their communities.’

Gender and sexual orientation in the 2026 Census

The 2026 Australian Census will ask everyone aged 16 and over about their gender and sexual orientation. It’s the first time the Census has asked this question. Does the Commissioner think it will help governments better address some of the issues older LGBTIQA+ people face?

‘This is an important step towards making LGBTQA+7 people more visible in national data and decision-making,’ Commissioner Ball replied. ‘Inclusive Census data will help governments, service providers and community organisations design and adapt systems that better reflect the diversity of LGBTQA+ communities across different ages, life stages and regions.

‘Better data helps governments understand the size, location and experiences of older LGBTQA+ communities, which supports better planning for aged care, health, housing and social connection services … It helps ensure older LGBTQA+ people are not treated as an afterthought.

‘Being counted means their experiences can be more clearly seen in the evidence that shapes funding, policy and service delivery.’

About the Commissioner

Joe Ball (he/him) was appointed Commissioner for LGBTIQA+ Communities in September 2024. His 25-year career in disability, housing and homelessness, and social services includes 8 years as CEO of Switchboard Victoria.

The Commissioner’s role is to work with LGBTIQA+ people to bring their experiences to the Victorian Government and provide advice so that policies, services and programs are safe and inclusive for everyone.

Visit the Commissioner’s webpage

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Joe Ball

Victorian Government

Joe Ball (he/him) is the Victorian Commissioner for LGBTIQA+ Communities. He is a proud...

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