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🇦🇺 Australia /Culture & Society

Attitudes must change to protect older Australians from abuse, survivors say

From ABC Australia · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • An 86-year-old survivor shared her experience of financial and emotional abuse by her son, highlighting the need for better support for older Australians.
  • Advocacy groups and survivors are pushing for elder abuse to be recognized as a federal crime, arguing current laws are insufficient.
  • Experts emphasize that changing societal attitudes and increasing investment in support services are crucial for preventing and addressing elder abuse.

Judy Guyton, an 86-year-old survivor, described how escalating requests from her late son for financial help evolved into coercive control, impacting her life for decades. What began as assistance for unexpected expenses, including cancer treatment, transformed into a tool to manipulate her, with threats of cutting off contact with her grandchildren if she refused.

At first, it was domestic abuse, then … it went on to financial abuse and senior abuse.

— Judy GuytonDescribing the progression of abuse she experienced from her son.

Guyton found crucial support through the Older Voices for Change program at the Council on the Ageing (COTA) Tasmania. This training has significantly improved her quality of life, helping her cope with the loss and empowering her to advocate for elder abuse awareness. She spoke at the Australian Elder Abuse Conference, aiming to inspire others facing similar situations.

The conference also featured a debate on making elder abuse a standalone criminal offense in Queensland. While some proponents, like the Domestic Violence Prevention Centre Gold Coast, argue for laws addressing the unique patterns of coercive control in elder abuse, a Queensland parliamentary inquiry concluded that existing justice system measures are adequate.

It was like, 'If you don't do this, Mum, you won't be able to do that.' It might be that they needed money: 'I'll pay you back. If you don't help us out, you won't see the kids or the grandchildren.'

— Judy GuytonRecounting the manipulative tactics used by her son.

Francene Jacques, an 84-year-old COTA advocate and fellow survivor, supports federal reform, stating, "Elder abuse should be a national crime." She pointed out the varying punishments for domestic violence across states and advocated for a unified federal offense.

I don't have many years left. The training has given me a better quality of life so that my last years will be OK.

— Judy GuytonReflecting on the impact of the Older Voices for Change program.

Rebecca Edwards, co-chair of Elder Abuse Action Australia, believes the focus should shift from criminalization to prevention and awareness. A 2021 study indicated that one in six Australians over 65 experience abuse within trusted relationships, yet most cases go unreported. Edwards stressed, "It's not the law that needs to change, it's attitudes that need to change," and called for increased investment in support services to combat under-reporting.

Elder abuse should be a national crime.

— Francene JacquesAn advocate and elder abuse survivor, calling for federal legislation.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Australia in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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