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Seniors Rights Victoria (SRV) and Council on the Ageing (COTA) Victoria will launch their World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) program on 14 June with a special keynote address focussing on an intersectional approach to family violence and elder abuse.
Guest speaker Maria Dimopoulos AM, Chair of Safe+Equal, will be joined by SRV and COTA Victoria CEO Chris Potaris for the keynote and subsequent Q&A session.
The event has targeted professionals from the family violence and elder abuse sectors and will encourage cooperation for the greater good.
“Elder abuse and family violence are a scourge on older Victorians,” said Mr Potaris. “It’s extremely important to stand up as a united front. This has gone far beyond raising awareness about elder abuse, important as that is. Our focus must be on a genuine prevention strategy.
“A coordinated, intersectional effort is important now more than ever,” Mr Potaris continued. “Current indications are that services like Seniors Rights Victoria will incur significant cuts to their funding as a result of the 2023-24 Victorian state budget.”
Interested parties can learn more about the event and register to attend here.
Additionally, SRV will hold two Stir a Cuppa with Seniors events on World Elder Abuse Awareness Day itself, 15 June. A morning tea will be held at the Shepparton Senior Citizens Centre in Shepparton, Victoria from 10.30 am in partnership with the Greater Shepparton City Council.
In Melbourne’s CBD, a free afternoon tea forum kicks off from 1.30 pm at the City of Melbourne Bowls Club in Flagstaff Gardens. There, special guest speaker Patricia Edgar AM will feature alongside a discussion of SRV and COTA Victoria’s winter-long campaign, Older, Not Alone.
For more information about WEAAD, visit elderabuseawarenessday.org.au. We encourage the use of hashtags #WEAAD, #WEAAD2023 and #StirACuppa to help raise awareness of this important initiative.
If you or someone you know is experiencing elder abuse and would like information and advice, help is available through Seniors Rights Victoria’s Helpline (1300 368 821) or website.
--ENDS--
Steve Wright
Marketing and Communications Manager
Seniors Rights Victoria & COTA Victoria
Telephone: 03 9655 2159
Email: SWright@cotavic.org.au
Seniors Rights Victoria (SRV) is 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.
