Settlement Guide: Elder abuse in the family

We might not hear about elder abuse very often but the government believes up to ten per cent of older Australians suffer abuse every year. And it's often difficult for older migrants, who face additional barriers when it comes to reporting the abuse. There are ways to get help.When we hear "elder abuse", we might think first about physical abuse, but it can take many forms. The most common is financial abuse. It can be stealing money from an older person, forcing them to change their will or forging their signature on a bank document. There's also psychological, emotional and sexual abuse. Basically, elder abuse happens when somebody causes harm or distress to an older person whom they are supposed to have a relationship of trust with. Very often, isolation makes older people more vulnerable.