Barwon Elder Abuse Primary Prevention Network

Since 2019, we have convened the Barwon Elder Abuse Primary Prevention (BEAPP) Network.

This project 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.

BEAPP Network Aims to:

• Strengthen a network of community and professional representatives motivated to prevent elder abuse
• 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 and can include mistreatment and neglect.

Every older person has the right to: 

• Live in safety
• Be treated with dignity and respect
• Make your own decisions

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.