The Wire

Abuse of the elderly is more widespread than most people think. Five percent of people over 65 have reported being physically, sexually or emotionally attacked by people they trust. Victims suffer anything from verbal assaults and financial exploitation to beatings and rape. In most cases, the abuser is the elder person’s own child. Chris Procopis from the Elder Abuse Prevention Unit says many victims don’t report their mistreatment because they blame themselves and are ashamed to admit they are abused. Grant Sarra is the Indigenous facilitator for the consultations and he agrees that any proposed strategies must be culturally appropriate.