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Seniors Rights Victoria, Council on the Ageing (COTA) Victoria, Housing for the Aged Action Group (HAAG), and the City of Melbourne will showcase the creative and compassionate efforts of Victorians around the state on the eve of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) 2024.
On 13 June 2024, the Melbourne Town Hall will house an exhibition of crafted Warm Safe Homes created all throughout Victoria, in an event graciously hosted by the City of Melbourne and opened by The Deputy Lord Mayor of Melbourne, Nicholas Reece.
The Victorian Minister for Ageing, The Honourable Ingrid Stitt, will officially launch the Warm Safe Home program itself, also activating an online exhibition of Warm Safe Homes that can be viewed at any time on the WEAAD website.
Hosted by COTA Victoria board member and the former Ambassador for Elder Abuse Prevention, Gerard Mansour, the event will feature presentations from HAAG CEO Fiona York, Seniors Rights Victoria Acting CEO Ben Rogers, and Homes Melbourne Director Jo Cannington. It concludes with an all-important intergenerational discussion on elder abuse between Warm Same Home program participants.
Doors open for the event at 9.30 am on 13 June, with the program running between 10.00 am to 12.00 pm. World Elder Abuse Awareness Day follows on 15 June 2024.
A small number of free tickets to the showcase are available to the public, available on the Humanitix ticketing platform.
Other WEAAD events taking place around Victoria, Melbourne, and the world can be viewed on the WEAAD website.
If you are in Victoria and experiencing elder abuse, help is available through Seniors Rights Victoria’s Helpline (1300 368 821) or website.
For nationwide assistance, and to access additional resources in 20 different languages, please contact the Australian Human Rights Commission on 1800 ELDERHelp (1800 353 374).
If it is an emergency, dial 000.
Quotes attributable to Seniors Rights Victoria Acting CEO Ben Rogers
“In situations of elder abuse, the home can become a place of danger. The Warm Safe Home project is incredibly important in educating Victorians on what elder abuse is, and how to work to prevent it from occurring.
“We’re extremely fortunate to be working with Housing for the Aged Action Group on this piece of our larger World Elder Abuse Awareness Day program, and thank the City of Melbourne and the Minister for Ageing, Ingrid Stitt, for their assistance in launching this vital campaign and exhibition.”
Quotes attributable to Housing for the Aged Action Group CEO Fiona York
“More and more older people, especially those on low incomes, can’t afford their rent, or are retiring without having paid their mortgage. A lack of affordable housing in Victoria is making it more likely for older people slip into homelessness as they age, or become trapped in abusive situations.
“Having a safe, secure and affordable home is central to people’s wellbeing as they age and must be made a priority.”
Quotes attributable to City of Melbourne Deputy Lord Mayor Nicholas Reece
“We know that elder abuse can take place in the form of physical, emotional, financial or through neglect and there is no place for it – anywhere or anytime.”
“At the City of Melbourne, we take our commitment to helping older Melburnians seriously, offering a variety of support mechanisms ranging from service and technology support, health and mental health support and of course our vibrant neighbourhood centres.”
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Further Information
Steve Wright
Marketing and Communications Manager, Seniors Rights Victoria & COTA Victoria
Telephone: 03 9655 2159
Email: SWright@cotavic.org.au
Kye White
Media Advisor, Housing for the Aged Action Group
Telephone: 0419 116 269
Email: media@oldertenants.org.au
About the Warm Safe Home program
Originally developed in 2020 by Dr Becky Nevin of the South West Victoria Elder Abuse Prevention Network, the Warm Safe Home project uses community art and the icon of the house to talk about older people’s right to feel safe and live free from fear.
Seniors Rights Victoria, COTA Victoria, and HAAG have partnered in 2024 to revitalise the project, inviting community groups and grassroots organisations to take part and raise awareness of elder abuse, housing affordability, and other issues facing older Victorians in the lead up to World Elder Abuse Awareness Day on 15 June.
About World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD)
The United Nations General Assembly, in its resolution 66/127, designated 15 June as World Elder Abuse Awareness Day.
WEAAD is celebrated each year, globally, providing an opportunity for communities to stand together against the abuse, mistreatment, and neglect of older people.
For more information about WEAAD, visit the World Elder Abuse Awareness Day website. We encourage the use of hashtags #WEAAD, #WEAAD2024 and #WarmSafeHome to help raise awareness of this important initiative.
About us
Seniors Rights Victoria (SRV) is a program of COTA Victoria and the key state-wide service dedicated to advancing the rights of older people and the early intervention into, or prevention of, elder abuse in our community.
SRV has a team of experienced advocates, lawyers, and social workers who provide free information, advice, referral, legal advice, legal casework, and support to older people who are either at risk of or are experiencing elder abuse. SRV supports and empowers older people through the provision of legal advice directly to the older person.
Visit the Seniors Rights Victoria website.
COTA Victoria is the leading not-for-profit organisation representing the interests and rights of people aged over 50 in Victoria. For over 70 years, we have led government, corporate and community thinking about the positive aspects of ageing in the state.
Today, our focus is on promoting opportunities for and protecting the legal rights of people 50+. We value ageing and embrace its opportunities for personal growth, contribution, and self-expression. This belief drives benefits to the nation and its states alongside communities, families, and individuals.
Visit the COTA Victoria website.
Housing for the Aged Action Group (HAAG) is one of the only Australian organisations specialised in the housing needs of older people. Coming from grass-roots beginnings over 40 years ago, HAAG today is over 800 members strong. It is committed to finding long term solutions to the housing crisis facing older people in Australia.
Visit the HAAG website.