The Final Report of the Select Committee into Elder Abuse has been released with a number of initiatives which are designed to result in a better system to protect vulnerable older people from abuse.
According to Western Australia’s Seniors and Ageing Minister Mick Murray, the WA Government has supported the findings of the report and aims for change.
“Many of its findings confirm the importance of work already underway by the McGowan Government,” he said.
“Community education and awareness is very important, police need to continue to be engaged, and the health and financial sectors need to be empowered to identify potential elder abuse.”
The report includes recognising the unique challenges faced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and the need for policy to reflect this. As well as the importance of the police’s role in elder abuse prevention, in line with initiatives already being undertaken by WA Police.
It also recognises greater interaction with the financial and health sectors to ensure instances of elder abuse can be better identified and prevented; and better cross-government data collection to gain a greater understanding of the prevalence of elder abuse and how to prevent it.
“The State Government is continuing to develop initiatives, as we work in our leading role alongside the Commonwealth Government on the National Plan to address elder abuse.”
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