At-risk elders need our support

Churchill Fellow, John Chesterman, who is now the Queensland Public Advocate, says it is currently unclear who to turn to if you suspect an adult in your community is experiencing abuse, neglect, or exploitation, but may not necessarily be a victim of crime.

Further, he says that each State and Territory needs to establish an agency with the power to receive inquiries, investigate and support the rights and wellbeing of at-risk adults.

Dr Chesterman believes the right of at-risk adults to live free from abuse is not supported in practice. He has detailed his findings in his research report Supporting and safeguarding at-risk adults.