Barwon Elder Abuse Primary Prevention Network - Barwon Community Legal Service

Barwon Elder Abuse Primary Prevention Network

The Barwon Elder Abuse Primary Prevention (BEAPP) Network supports a network of organisations across the legal, local government, health, aged care and community safety sector to work together to raise awareness and increase capacity to address elder abuse in our region.

Our Elder Abuse Prevention Network is funded by the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing.

The BEAPP Network aims to:

  • Explore the causes of elder abuse and work on inclusive activities aimed to change social attitudes to prevent elder abuse and violence against older people
  • Conduct activities with older people in order to raise awareness of elder abuse and where to get help
  • Build capacity of service providers to identify and respond to suspected elder abuse including developing referral pathways

What is Elder Abuse?

Elder abuse is any act which causes harm to an older person and is carried out by someone they know and trust such as a family member or friend. The abuse may be physical, social, financial, psychological or sexual.

Background to Elder Abuse Prevention Networks

As part of the response to the Royal Commission into Family Violence, the Victorian Government funded ten Elder Abuse Prevention Networks (EAPNs) across Victoria to explore how to prevent elder abuse before it occurs. We acknowledge the funding support of the Victorian Government to allow us to continue this work.

Coercing someone into giving money to a relative/ friend, forcing someone to change their Will, not giving a person access to their own funds, taking money as compensation for caring for an older person.

Using threats, harassment, or humiliation. These can provoke feelings of stress, shame or powerlessness. Emotional abuse often occurs alongside other forms of elder abuse. – Social such as discouraging visitors or social outings, restricting access to support networks such as family friends and help services, opening or screening mail and phone calls.

Hitting, pushing, using restraints, forced or unwanted sexual activity and taking advantage of someone unable to give consent.

Failure to provide adequate food, clothing, shelter, medical and dental care, using medication incorrectly and keeping older people in a state of poor hygiene

Forced isolation and increased helplessness. Examples may include Restricting access to support networks (family, friends, help services); Discouraging visitors/social outings ; Opening mail/screening phone calls without permission

Elder Abuse Educational Videos in Language

What is elder abuse?

Easy English

Arabic

Dari

Karen

Swahili

How do you get help if you or someone you know is experiencing elder abuse?

Easy English

Arabic

Dari

Karen

Swahili

 

We Say No to Elder Abuse

Find out more and get involved

To join the BEAPP Network or to learn more about our community activities please contact Alexandria Jones at education@barwoncls.org.au or on 1300 430 599.

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Last modified on November 27th, 2023 at 11:58 am

The content on this site is information only and is not legal advice. If you need legal advice please contact us.

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