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News
New program to prevent elder abuse
Federal Minister for Ageing Justine Elliott, project officer Katherine Beck, Page MP Janelle Saffin and Northern Rivers Social Development Council chair Jenny Dowell at the launch of the Abuse of Older Australians Prevention Program at the Point Restaurant, Ramada Hotel, Ballina last Thursday.
The Federal Minister for Ageing Justine Elliott was in Ballina last Thursday to launch the Northern Rivers Abuse of Older Australians Prevention Program.
Project officer Katherine Beck said older people could be at risk of financial, legal, psychological, sexual, physical, or spiritual abuse because they were often highly dependent on others.
“In most cases the key issue occurs within a relationship and an implication of that is that the abuser can be a family member or carer,” Ms Beck said. “The message needs to get out there that abuse is abuse and it needs to stop. It’s not okay, whether it is perpetrated by someone you love or a total stranger.”
Chair of the Northern Rivers Social Development Council Jenny Dowell said the wider community could learn a lot from Indigenous societal structure.
“The traditional owners of this land hold their Elders in high esteem and treat them with respect,” Cr Dowell said. “Many cultures seek out the wisdom that comes with age but with a break down in the domestic structure, many older people have been becoming increasingly isolated.
“We have a requirement to those who are vulnerable that we protect them and offer them care.”
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