Thank you Stand Up Speak Out

Over three packed days, MC Philippa McDonald guided us through powerful contributions from people with lived experience, a raw and personal presentation from comedian and advocate Jean Kittson, to workshops, research findings, a brilliant debate, and expert presentations from advocates, legal centres, peak bodies, government agencies, academics and community groups, all united in creating a safer, more just future for older Australians.

The speakers didn't shy away from hard conversations - from discussing an older people's right to take risks, to the realities of what abuse looks like in people’s lives, to the challenge of defining cultural abuse, the critical role advocates have to play on a daily basis to combat systemic ageism, to the funding models required to see real change - we came away with genuinely new perspectives that will help shape the ongoing development of compass.info.

We will endeavour to share conference highlights on Compass over the coming days and weeks and to work even more closely with community organisations to continue to improve Compass as the national information hub on combatting the abuse of older people.

Congratulations to Elder Abuse Action Australia, Aged and Disability Advocacy Australia, Caxton Community Legal Centre, and everyone who helped deliver such an important national conference.