Seniors Rights Victoria only has capacity to respond to calls from older people experiencing or at risk of elder abuse. If your matter is an emergency, please call 000. If you are a concerned friend or family member, please encourage the older person to call us or click here for access to information and resources.
White colonisation of Australia has had a dramatic effect on Aboriginal people. So much so that Aboriginal Australians grow older at a much faster rate than other Australians and have a significantly shorter life expectancy. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians may be eligible for aged care services at a younger age than other Australians. At Seniors Rights Victoria, Aboriginal people 45 years and over can access the service.
The term ‘Elder’ has different meanings for different Aboriginal communities. In some, an ‘Elder’ can be any respected member of the community regardless of age. It is important to make it clear that elder abuse is something that can happen to any older Aboriginal person, not just Elders. Some organisations use the term ‘family violence against aunties and uncles’ in preference to ‘elder abuse’. Others simply use: ‘abuse of older people’.
Many older Aboriginal people have lived through significant challenges. Many are also expected by their community to take on responsibility for multiple roles, such as custodians of culture and caring for grandchildren or younger members of their families. It’s important to be aware of these challenges when working with older Aboriginal people. It’s also important to recognise that Aboriginal people may need to receive service support from generic or Aboriginal-specific organisations, depending on the person’s own choice and circumstances.
We've produced this flyer, explaining what forms elder abuse might take for older Aboriginal people and what to do about it.
There is a lack of research on elder abuse in the context of cultural diversity or migrant communities in Australia. There is no evidence to suggest that there is a higher prevalence of elder abuse in any cultural community. However, broad-based consultations held by the Ethnic Communities Council of Victoria indicate that where elder abuse occurs, people from migrant and non-English speaking backgrounds can be more vulnerable.
More information contact the Ethnic Communities Council of Victoria
Elder abuse is a complex and sensitive issue, making it difficult to identify all factors associated with an increased risk of abuse. There are a number of possible risk factors, all of which can apply to people from any cultural background.
Some factors including isolation, dependency, cultural factors, lack of information about rights and stress in the care relationship are of particular concern for older people from non-English speaking backgrounds. Lack of English language skills, cultural influences and smaller family networks can mean that an older person is more vulnerable to abuse where it occurs, and that they are less likely to identify abuse or seek support.
Different cultural world views may affect the way that elder abuse is perceived. Older people from collectivist cultures may not highly value or subscribe to the concept of individual rights. They may also be less likely to consider action that separates them from their family. The principle of ‘what’s best for the common good’ is more likely to be applied than the individualistic view of ‘what’s in it for me’.
Intergenerational misunderstandings and conflicting expectations are common to all families. However, the process of migration can exacerbate this issue. For example, older people can cling strongly to the traditional values and practices of their culture while younger people identify more strongly with the dominant values of contemporary Australia.
Many agencies cater for culturally and linguistically diverse people; many have bilingual workers on staff and routinely use interpreters.
Bilingual workers may have developed trust and rapport with their clients over a period of time and may be well-positioned to recognise and respond to elder abuse. They can be the “eyes and ears” for elder abuse situations.
There may be lower literacy levels amongst older people from non-English speaking backgrounds in both their original language as well as English and for this reason translated written materials should not be relied upon. Face-to-face contact is best, and the use of interpreters and bilingual workers is very important in dealing with the sensitive issue of elder abuse.
Some communities have very few interpreters available and all may be known to the client and /or their family. Some people may not want to involve anyone from their own community, including an interpreter. This can be due to fear of being shut out from that community or feelings of shame . It’s important to respect this and find alternative ways of supporting the older person.
Ethno-specific agencies can provide an extra layer of bi-cultural support in elder abuse situations. This may include cultural information on how elder abuse is perceived in particular communities, and the best way to approach the situation sensitively. Ethnic communities are often close knit and may not look to outsiders for assistance, which may create a barrier to disclosure. There may be additional barriers to disclosure in some ethnic communities, due to shame and the fear of “losing face”.
“Mainstream” agencies are encouraged to consult with ethnic agencies on cultural issues and work together to develop appropriate responses to elder abuse in culturally and linguistically diverse communities.
The Ethnic Communities Council of Victoria is currently undertaking a project to develop community education resources to raise awareness about elder abuse within different communities. Community education resources currently available can be found on the Elder Abuse Prevention webpage of the Ethnic Communities of Victoria website.
Additional language-specific resources can be found on the Victorian Government website. We recommend that caution be applied when making any generalisations based on ethnicity or cultural background. As with all communities, there is considerable diversity of views, beliefs and attitudes within different populations. However, this information provides the broad cultural context for elder abuse and its prevention and may help service providers understand CALD clients and communities better in relation to this issue.
If you are in Victoria and are experiencing or at risk of elder abuse, help is available through our confidential helpline on 1300 368 821.
If you are a concerned friend or family member, please encourage the older person to call us or you can access information and resources here. You can also find a lawyer via the Law Institute of Victoria website.
If it is an emergency, call 000.
