❓ Ms. Mettam asks about the government's response to elder abuse following Advocare's report. The Minister outlines initiatives including funding for a helpline, workshops, and inter-agency collaboration.
AnsweredQoN 253Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
ELDER
ABUSE
253. Ms L. METTAM to the
Minister for Seniors and Volunteering:
Last week, Advocare released the report titled ''National
Elder Abuse Annual Report 2013–14''. Can the minister please
advise the house what the state government is doing to address elder abuse in
our community?
ABUSE
253. Ms L. METTAM to the
Minister for Seniors and Volunteering:
Last week, Advocare released the report titled ''National
Elder Abuse Annual Report 2013–14''. Can the minister please
advise the house what the state government is doing to address elder abuse in
our community?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for Vasse for her question and her
interest in elder abuse. I have stood in this Parliament on many occasions to
speak about what the government is doing. It was interesting to read the
report, and I put on the record that statistics from the Minister for Police
indicate that the number of offences for abuse against elderly people in
Western Australia has actually come down. It was great to see that statistic
from the Minister for Police.
Interestingly, most offences of elder abuse are committed
internally by carers, family members and people who work with elderly people.
The government has been very strong in its commitment to fund the Elder Abuse
Helpline run by Advocare. We committed $80 000 to set up the helpline for
elderly people to seek financial advice or advice on any type of abuse they may
be receiving. Since September last year, the helpline in that office has
received 120 calls about elder abuse. This goes to show that people are being
abused by carers and, more importantly, by family members, and that they need
our support. I acknowledge and thank the member for Vasse for raising the
issue. The annual report is an interesting report to read and again goes to
show how we can deal with abuse in our community. The government, through
Advocare and the Department of Health, put together the $80 000 to keep that
helpline open, but more importantly Advocare also runs a number of workshops.
It has conducted through our electorates and the community as a whole over 200 education
information sessions with over 2 500 people participating.
Mr M.P. Murray interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Member for Collie–Preston, I call you to order for the first time, and
the member for Forrestfield for the first time!
Mr A.J. SIMPSON :
More importantly, my department through my Seniors Ministerial Advisory Council
has produced a booklet titled ''Stay connected and be involved: A guide
to building a healthier happier life'' which is important for the
community but more so for seniors. It is important for me as Minister for
Seniors and Volunteering to see our seniors being and staying active and
involved in their community, and Advocare and the booklet will go a long way towards
that goal.
The Alliance for the Prevention of Elder Abuse WA is an
important forum that brings together Advocare, WA Police, the Department of
Aboriginal Affairs, the Department of Local Government and Communities, the
Department of Health, the Disability Services Commission, Legal Aid WA, the
Office of the Chief Psychiatrist and the Office of the Public Advocate and the
Public Trustee. They come together to work on how we as a government can help
the elderly and seniors in our community to ensure that we address their needs
and to help them in every way we can to make them feel safe in our community. I
am very proud of my department and my Seniors Ministerial Advisory Council,
which helped to set up the Elder Abuse Helpline and for everything they do to
support elders in our community to make sure they feel safe in their community.
interest in elder abuse. I have stood in this Parliament on many occasions to
speak about what the government is doing. It was interesting to read the
report, and I put on the record that statistics from the Minister for Police
indicate that the number of offences for abuse against elderly people in
Western Australia has actually come down. It was great to see that statistic
from the Minister for Police.
Interestingly, most offences of elder abuse are committed
internally by carers, family members and people who work with elderly people.
The government has been very strong in its commitment to fund the Elder Abuse
Helpline run by Advocare. We committed $80 000 to set up the helpline for
elderly people to seek financial advice or advice on any type of abuse they may
be receiving. Since September last year, the helpline in that office has
received 120 calls about elder abuse. This goes to show that people are being
abused by carers and, more importantly, by family members, and that they need
our support. I acknowledge and thank the member for Vasse for raising the
issue. The annual report is an interesting report to read and again goes to
show how we can deal with abuse in our community. The government, through
Advocare and the Department of Health, put together the $80 000 to keep that
helpline open, but more importantly Advocare also runs a number of workshops.
It has conducted through our electorates and the community as a whole over 200 education
information sessions with over 2 500 people participating.
Mr M.P. Murray interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Member for Collie–Preston, I call you to order for the first time, and
the member for Forrestfield for the first time!
Mr A.J. SIMPSON :
More importantly, my department through my Seniors Ministerial Advisory Council
has produced a booklet titled ''Stay connected and be involved: A guide
to building a healthier happier life'' which is important for the
community but more so for seniors. It is important for me as Minister for
Seniors and Volunteering to see our seniors being and staying active and
involved in their community, and Advocare and the booklet will go a long way towards
that goal.
The Alliance for the Prevention of Elder Abuse WA is an
important forum that brings together Advocare, WA Police, the Department of
Aboriginal Affairs, the Department of Local Government and Communities, the
Department of Health, the Disability Services Commission, Legal Aid WA, the
Office of the Chief Psychiatrist and the Office of the Public Advocate and the
Public Trustee. They come together to work on how we as a government can help
the elderly and seniors in our community to ensure that we address their needs
and to help them in every way we can to make them feel safe in our community. I
am very proud of my department and my Seniors Ministerial Advisory Council,
which helped to set up the Elder Abuse Helpline and for everything they do to
support elders in our community to make sure they feel safe in their community.
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