Compass is an Australian Government initiative funded by the Attorney-General’s Department in response to the National Plan to Respond to the Abuse of Older Australians (Elder Abuse) 2019–2023.

 

Compass is led by Elder Abuse Action Australia (EAAA), a specialist organisation working to eliminate elder abuse.

We work in partnership with many support groups and organisations around Australia and with academic researchers, health and legal professionals, and other contributors.

 

Compass was launched in late 2019 by EAAA with two aims: to raise nationwide awareness of this growing social issue, and to simplify the process of connecting people to services and information.

 

The challenges of combating elder abuse in Australia are immense and complex. A recent national study put a figure on the extent of the problem for the first time: almost 16% of older Australians living in the community experience abuse each year. And with more and more people moving into their senior years, this issue will become increasingly relevant and urgent.

 

Here’s a recap of what Compass has achieved in the past 5 years.

 

For the first time, Australians now have one central resource for information about elder abuse, with access to:

• over 800 Australian resources

• details of over 500 Australian service providers

• comprehensive, up-to-date information on a range of relevant topics, including ageism, coercive control, elder abuse (understanding, preventing and responding), family agreements, financial abuse, future planning, grandparent alienation, health and wellbeing, isolation, and powers of attorney

• new web content being developed and new articles every month on key topics

• the latest elder abuse news and events from around the country

• a live webinar program, interviews and Q&A style events with leading experts encouraging discussion on a variety of subjects

• the opportunity to be part of a community via the Compass Monthly Topics newsletter and social media platforms.

 

Importantly, Compass has information for all Australians, including culturally and linguistically diverse communities, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, the LGBTQIA+ community, and people living in rural and remote areas.

 

 

 

Summary of Compass Results

• Over 3 million people have visited Compass

• Enduring Powers of Attorney webinars were attended by almost 600 people live but watched via YouTube 840,000 times

• On Point interview series of one-on-one interviews with community leaders from different perspectives have been watched more than 2.5 million times

• Feature articles on enduring Powers of Attorney have been read more than 7,500 times

• Animated videos explaining 7 key things to think about when taking on an Enduring Power of Attorney role has been watched more than 80,000 times and 7 key things to think about when making an Enduring Power of Attorney has been watch more than 85,000 times

• More than 60% of visitors to Compass use their mobile phone

• Monthly social media campaigns on new or existing content that bring thousands of people to Compass

 

Bev Lange will speak to how Compass guides action on elder abuse, key data, success of social media campaigns against industry benchmarks and what’s next.

Bev Lange has been the Executive Officer at Elder Abuse Action Australia (EAAA) since its inception in 2018.

EAAA was established to confront the often-hidden problem of the discrimination, neglect and mistreatment of older people living in Australia.

Bev has driven the growth and success of the organisation including Compass.Info, national website created to help older Australians navigate the complex issue of elder abuse and to guide action to end the problem. It has become a trusted source of information and resources for service providers.

Bev experienced success leading Bobby Goldsmith Foundation, an organised providing support to people living with HIV; as Director of Communications and Major Events for Transport NSW; and Chief Operating Officer for a private College.

As a consultant, she worked with government, for purpose and commercial organisations for more than ten years.

Bev has served as a Director on the boards of the Centenary of Federation, New South Wales Council of Social Services (NCOSS), Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, Sydney Gay Games, and the Human Society International (Australia).