Older Australians reluctant to report abuse: study

Posted on 10 Jun 2025

By Greg Thom, journalist, Institute of Community Directors Australia

As many as one in five older people are unwilling to seek help if they are mistreated by a family member or carer, according to new research.

The study by relationship support not-for-profit organisation Better Place Australia found many victims of elder abuse were reluctant to engage with systems designed to help them in such situations.

Their reasons included fear of escalation, shame and not knowing who to contact.

They were also concerned about negative consequences for themselves or for the person using violence.

As many as 15 per cent of older Australians are estimated to have suffered from elder abuse which can lead to poor physical and mental health, greater reliance on the healthcare system and premature mortality.

The survey of 539 older Victorians revealed that more than half (54 per cent) would turn to family members for help first in situations of elder abuse.

The next most popular initial sources were:

a friend (34%)
a GP or medical professional (33%)
the elder abuse hotline (24%)
the police (24%).

The survey found men were significantly more likely to select the police as their first point of contact.

Better Place Australia’s general manager for older person services, Rhonda Withers, said the report’s findings highlighted the need for a system centred on early intervention, trusted relationships, and community-based responses.

“Older men may be more likely to report abuse to police, possibly due to having fewer social connections and a greater tendency to act independently when they feel wronged,” said Withers.

“In contrast, older women are often socialised to keep family matters private.”

“This research highlights that the current elder abuse response system doesn’t always align with the preferences of older people.”

Dr Sarah Marko, researcher at Better Place Australia.

Better Place Australia’s Respecting Elders Service is a Victorian Government-funded service that helps older people who are experiencing family conflict or elder abuse.

It provides the only Victorian specialist family violence service exclusively working with older people and has supported more than 2,000 clients since 2018.

When it came to the type of support they would prefer to receive, survey participants expressed a strong preference for professional services that focused on advice, resolution and empowerment.

Lead researcher Dr Sarah Marko said legal and law enforcement options were important, but they shouldn’t be the default response in dealing with elder abuse.

“Older people want safe, accessible and empowering services that give them real options and respect their right to choose how to respond,” she said.

“This research highlights that the current elder abuse response system doesn’t always align with the preferences of older people.”

Better Place Australia called on government to strengthen investment in early intervention and local community responses to elder abuse.

Legal options should be complimented by broader support services that reflect older people's preferences and lived realities.

“Elder abuse isn’t one-dimensional, and our response shouldn't be either,” said Withers.

“A one-size-fits-all approach fails to meet the diverse needs of older victim-survivors.”