Social Care Inequality in the Seniors Social Housing Sector in Winnipeg, Canada
Presenter:
Bev Lange, Elder Abuse Action Australia
Abstract
EAAA would like to raise awareness and explore whether cultural abuse remains another invisible form of harm. Older people from diverse backgrounds often face multiple layers of marginalisation, within society and within their own communities. This invisibility deepens when cultural identity intersects with ageism, racism, homophobia, transphobia, or displacement. The abuse and neglect of older people is a significant cause of human harm and suffering in Australia today.
At least 15% of older Australians experience abuse and neglect. That equates to 725,000 people and is completely unacceptable.
The WHO’s definition of the abuse of older people, also known as elder abuse, is a single or repeated act, or lack of appropriate action, occurring within any relationship where there is an expectation of trust, which causes harm or distress to an older person. It is a violation of a person’s human rights and the types of abuse includes physical, sexual, psychological or emotional abuse, financial and material abuse, neglect and abandonment and serious loss of dignity and respect.
In 2023 EAAA undertook a Research and Consultation project that was commissioned by the Commonwealth Attorney-General’s Department and was tasked with hearing from diverse voices—including people with lived experience, service providers and advocates—about the experience of elder abuse in Australia and the priorities for the forthcoming second National Plan.
To maximise access and engagement, the project undertook separate focus groups with community members and service providers (including community organisations and government representatives) in each capital city across Australia. In addition, focus groups were held with specific populations, including people with cognitive impairment, First Nations community, multicultural communities, LGBTIQA+ communities and rural and regional representatives. The findings were augmented by individual interviews with diverse people with lived experience and with service providers and other key informants.
One of the key finds was the lack of recognition of cultural abuse as a form or type of abuse and mistreatment. Participants drew attention to cultural abuse (that is, being removed from Country, and being denied access to culture) as a specific form of the abuse of older people in First Nations communities. For other participants, this type of abuse extended to denial of religious or spiritual practice, such as festivals where connection to cultural is so vital.
One of the recommendations EAAA submitted for inclusion in the National Plan to End the Abuse and Mistreatment of Older People in Australia was to review and update the definition of elder abuse by:
– Working with state and territory governments to develop a shared definition of elder abuse
– Reviewing and updating language used to describe elder abuse, including the following terms: elder and perpetrator
– Exploring the inclusion of ‘cultural abuse’ as a distinct form of elder abuse.
EAAA is eager to:
– amplify the diverse voices of older people
– explore the intersectional impacts of cultural identity, age and marginalisation
– develop a deeper understanding of cultural abuse as is its defined across different communities
At least 15% of older Australians experience abuse and neglect. That equates to 725,000 people and is completely unacceptable.
The WHO’s definition of the abuse of older people, also known as elder abuse, is a single or repeated act, or lack of appropriate action, occurring within any relationship where there is an expectation of trust, which causes harm or distress to an older person. It is a violation of a person’s human rights and the types of abuse includes physical, sexual, psychological or emotional abuse, financial and material abuse, neglect and abandonment and serious loss of dignity and respect.
In 2023 EAAA undertook a Research and Consultation project that was commissioned by the Commonwealth Attorney-General’s Department and was tasked with hearing from diverse voices—including people with lived experience, service providers and advocates—about the experience of elder abuse in Australia and the priorities for the forthcoming second National Plan.
To maximise access and engagement, the project undertook separate focus groups with community members and service providers (including community organisations and government representatives) in each capital city across Australia. In addition, focus groups were held with specific populations, including people with cognitive impairment, First Nations community, multicultural communities, LGBTIQA+ communities and rural and regional representatives. The findings were augmented by individual interviews with diverse people with lived experience and with service providers and other key informants.
One of the key finds was the lack of recognition of cultural abuse as a form or type of abuse and mistreatment. Participants drew attention to cultural abuse (that is, being removed from Country, and being denied access to culture) as a specific form of the abuse of older people in First Nations communities. For other participants, this type of abuse extended to denial of religious or spiritual practice, such as festivals where connection to cultural is so vital.
One of the recommendations EAAA submitted for inclusion in the National Plan to End the Abuse and Mistreatment of Older People in Australia was to review and update the definition of elder abuse by:
– Working with state and territory governments to develop a shared definition of elder abuse
– Reviewing and updating language used to describe elder abuse, including the following terms: elder and perpetrator
– Exploring the inclusion of ‘cultural abuse’ as a distinct form of elder abuse.
EAAA is eager to:
– amplify the diverse voices of older people
– explore the intersectional impacts of cultural identity, age and marginalisation
– develop a deeper understanding of cultural abuse as is its defined across different communities
Bio(s):
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).
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).