Elder abuse report confirms need for inquiry says Minister

A joint report into Elder Abuse by the Queensland Government and Uniting Care has revealed the urgency for an inquiry, says Minister for Families, Seniors and Disability Services, Amanda Camm.

The Elder Abuse Statistics In Queensland Year in Review found 4,458 phone calls were made to the Elder Abuse Helpline in 2023-24, with 2,674 notifications of abuse.

The report recommended further research into social abuse which is a form of coercive control that can be used as means to facilitate, maintain or hide other forms of abuse.

Social abuse increased in 2023-24 by 7%, while neglect of older people increased by 24%.

In December, the Queensland Government established a Parliamentary Inquiry to investigate the devastating consequences of elder abuse, delivering on the Government’s 100 Days Plan.

Minister Camm said the inquiry will shine a light on the mistreatment of some of the most vulnerable members of the community.

“This report highlights the decade of neglect by the former Labor Government; with year-on-year increases in reports of abuse yet a complete lack of action by our predecessors to change the broken system,” Minister Camm said.

“The Crisafulli Government is acting now, by setting up a Parliamentary Inquiry which will help shine a light on the nature and extent of elder abuse, how we are reporting and responding to elder abuse and where we can improve.

“All Queenslanders have a role to play in preventing elder abuse including families, communities, service providers and all levels of government.

“Increasing our understanding of elder abuse and boosting community awareness is vital to stopping the abuse.”

She said the report highlights the fact that elder abuse is currently underreported in Queensland.

“We know six in 10 older people who experience abuse will likely not seek help from a professional source, but instead seek advice from family or friends,” Minister Camm said.

“This inquiry will also help increase awareness right across Queensland, as we work towards better protecting some of the most vulnerable in our communities.”

The inquiry is in addition to the Crisafulli Government milestone Residential Care reforms to set-up a 24-hour dual-carer model and inquiry into DVConnect.

“These reforms are about finding gaps in the system, left by the former Labor Government, so we can better protect the most vulnerable in our community,” Minister Camm said.

“We are committed to a safer community for all.”

The Year in Review 2023-24 report indicates that in Queensland:

• the largest group of older people experiencing abuse was aged 80–84 years (22.0%).
• women are more than twice as likely to be victims of elder abuse (67.1%). Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are over-represented (3.7%, only 2.4% of people aged 50 years and over living in Queensland identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander).
• psychological abuse (75.9%) and financial abuse (65.0%) were the most often reported forms of abuse.
• 69.5% of victims (69.5%) reported experiencing more than one type of abuse.
• sons and daughters are the perpetrators in 95% of cases of abuse and more than half of victims lived with the perpetrator.
• in 2023-24, calls increased on the previous year in Moreton Bay–South (up 29.7%) Sunshine Coast (up 27.4%) and Mackay–Isaac–Whitsunday (up 20.4%). Calls decreased in Central Queensland calls decreased by 37.5%.

Regional breakdown

Suspected cases of Elder Abuse can be reported via www.qld.gov.au/stopelderabuse or call the Elder Abuse Helpline on 1300 651 192.