Release of the independent evaluation of the National Plan to Respond to the Abuse of Older Australians 2019-2023

The key policy framework for tackling elder abuse has been rated a success by an independent evaluation.

The abuse of older people has devasting physical, emotional and social consequences for older Australians, their families and communities. We know that at least one in six older Australians experience abuse, and that when abuse occurs, only around one third of victims seek help.

The key policy framework for tackling this abuse, the National Plan to Respond to the Abuse of Older Australians (Elder Abuse) 2019-2023 (National Plan) was recommended in the Australian Law Reform Commission’s 2017 ‘Elder Abuse – A National Legal Response’ report.

The independent evaluation, conducted by the Australian Institute of Family Studies, has found the key policy framework for tackling this abuse, the National Plan to Respond to the Abuse of Older Australians (Elder Abuse) 2019-2023 is achieving its aims of uniting governments, agencies and organisations in tackling the abuse of older people.

The evaluation highlights a range of important achievements under the National Plan, including the delivery of Australia’s first National Elder Abuse Prevalence Study, funding of innovative service responses, and a range of awareness raising initiatives.

The evaluation finds more work is needed to build on these efforts, including a greater focus on prevention and early intervention activities, and on the needs of our diverse older population.

Substantial progress has been made across Commonwealth, state and territory governments on developing the next National Plan. This work is being closely informed by the evaluation findings, and input from the community and sector.

The evaluation report is available on AIFS’ website.