10 Your right to be free from violence and abuse
You have a right to feel safe and to be treated with dignity. This chapter provides information about staying safe and avoiding violence and abuse in retirement.
10.1 Help if you are experiencing violence or abuse
Some older people do not feel safe because they experience violence, abuse or harassment from a family member, partner, neighbour, carer, friend or anyone else. Abuse can come in many forms. It may be verbal harassment, neglect of a person’s needs, restraining through over-medicating or physical restraint. In some cases it may include hitting or slapping or other forms of physical abuse.
None of this abuse is acceptable and you should seek help if you or someone you know is experiencing these things.
If you or someone you know experiences violence or abuse, you should contact the police immediately. Support is available.
You can also contact specialist elder abuse services. These are free and confidential and can give you more information and help you to speak out. You can also speak to your doctor and access counselling services.
Where to go for help
If you experience violence or feel under threat, call 000.
To report violence or abuse, contact your local police station.
The following services provide free specialist services for victims of elder abuse and are the best source for more information. Some of these services provide advocacy and legal support. All can give you more information on how to access further support.
ACT
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Older Persons Abuse Prevention Referral and Information Line
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02 6205 3535
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NSW
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NSW Elder Abuse Helpline
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1800 628 221
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The Older Persons’ Legal Service
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1800 424 079 or 02 9281 3600
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NT
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Aged and Disability Rights Team, Darwin Community Legal Centre
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1800 812 953 or 08 8982 1111
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Qld
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Elder Abuse Prevention Unit Helpline
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1300 651 192
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Seniors Legal and Support Service, Caxton Legal Centre
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07 3214 6333
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SA
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Aged Rights Advocacy Service
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08 8232 5377
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Tas
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Tasmanian Elder Abuse Helpline, Advocacy Tasmania
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1800 441 169 or 03 6237 0047
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Vic
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Seniors Rights Victoria
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1300 368 821
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WA
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Advocare
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1800 655 566 or 08 9479 7566
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Phone the National Sexual Assault, Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Line 24 hours a day on 1800 737 732 (1800RESPECT). Visit www.1800RESPECT.org.au to access information and online counselling.
Phone the National Victims Support Line on 1800 633 063.
Lifeline provides free counselling over the phone. Phone 13 11 14.
Telecross is a free daily contact service. A volunteer can call you each day to check on you. Phone 1300 885 698.
If you are experiencing violence you may be able to access assistance through a family or domestic violence support service in your state or territory. Some of these services offer crisis assistance, such as a place to stay and counselling. Others offer access to lawyers who are experienced in dealing with domestic violence matters.
Some family violence legal services provide specialist support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. For contact details for these services see chapter 15.2(h).
ACT
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Domestic Violence Crisis Service ACT
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02 6280 0900
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Women’s Legal Centre
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02 6257 4499
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NSW
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Domestic Violence Line, for crisis support
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1800 656 463
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Women’s Domestic Violence Advocacy Services, through LawAccess NSW
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1300 888 529
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NT
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Dawn House, Darwin
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08 8945 1388
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Domestic Violence Legal Service, Darwin
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08 8999 7977
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Top End Women’s Legal Service
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1800 234 441 or 08 8982 3000
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Qld
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DV Connect
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1800 811 811 or 07 3008 8294
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Women’s Legal Service Queensland
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1800 677 278 or 07 3392 0670
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SA
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Domestic Violence Gateway Helpline
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1800 800 098
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Women’s Legal Service SA
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1800 816 349 or 08 8221 5553
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Tas
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Family Violence Response Referral Line
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1800 633 937
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Women’s Legal Service
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1800 682 468
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|
Vic
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Women’s Domestic Violence Crisis Service
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1800 015 188 or 03 9322 3555
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Women’s Legal Service
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1800 133 302 or 03 9642 0877
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WA
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Women’s Domestic Violence Helpline
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1800 007 339 or 08 9223 1188
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Domestic Violence Advocacy Service, Womens Health & Family Services
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1800 998 399
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Women’s Law Centre
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1800 625 122
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For legal information, referrals, and in some case advice, you can also talk to the legal aid provider in your state or territory.
ACT
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Legal Aid ACT
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1300 654 314
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NSW
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LawAccess NSW
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1300 888 529
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NT
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NT Legal Aid Commission
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1800 019 343
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Qld
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Legal Aid Queensland
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1300 65 11 88
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SA
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Legal Services Commission of SA
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1300 366 424 or 08 8463 3555
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Tas
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Legal Aid Commission of Tasmania
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1300 366 611 or 03 6236 3800
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Vic
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Victoria Legal Aid
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1800 677 402 or 03 9269 0120
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WA
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Legal Aid Western Australia
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1300 650 579 or 08 9261 6222
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10.2 Home security
You have the right to feel safe in your own home. Common sense measures can help you feel more secure. To improve your security you can:
- Install grills on windows;
- Install deadlocks on doors;
- Lock up when you are at home as well as when you are out;
- Refrain from leaving spare keys in obvious places outside the home;
- Consider purchasing a personal alarm – this is a device you can wear as a necklace to alert someone if there is an emergency;
- Consider installing security sensors outside the home;
- Avoid letting strangers into your home; and
- Check the ID of people who come to your home and make sure you know who is at the door before letting anyone in.
Where to go for more information
Your local police station can give you advice about improving your home security. In some states and territories, you can contact a Neighbourhood Watch organisation:
ACT
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ACT Neighbourhood Watch Association
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0408 395 658
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NT
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Neighbourhood Watch NT
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08 8999 0847
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Qld
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Neighbourhood Watch Queensland
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Contact your local police station through 131 444
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SA
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WatchSA
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Contact 08 7322 3292 and ask to be connected to your Local Service Area
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Tas
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Neighbourhood Watch Tasmania
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131 444
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Vic
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Neighbourhood Watch Victoria
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03 9865 2968
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WA
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Neighbourhood Watch WA
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08 9222 1513
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Where to go for help
In situations of immediate threat, call 000.
To report a crime where there is no immediate threat, or to ask a non-urgent question, phone Police Assistance on 131 444. This is available in all states or territories except Victoria. Victorians should contact their local police station directly.