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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
Older Persons Abuse Prevention Referral and Information Line
02 6205 3535
NSW
NSW Elder Abuse Helpline
1800 628 221
 
The Older Persons’ Legal Service
1800 424 079 or 02 9281 3600
NT
Aged and Disability Rights Team, Darwin Community Legal Centre
1800 812 953 or 08 8982 1111
Qld
Elder Abuse Prevention Unit Helpline
1300 651 192
 
Seniors Legal and Support Service, Caxton Legal Centre
07 3214 6333
SA
Aged Rights Advocacy Service
08 8232 5377
Tas
Tasmanian Elder Abuse Helpline, Advocacy Tasmania
1800 441 169 or 03 6237 0047
Vic
Seniors Rights Victoria
1300 368 821
WA
Advocare
1800 655 566 or 08 9479 7566

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
Domestic Violence Crisis Service ACT
02 6280 0900
 
Women’s Legal Centre
02 6257 4499
NSW
Domestic Violence Line, for crisis support
1800 656 463
 
Women’s Domestic Violence Advocacy Services, through LawAccess NSW
1300 888 529
NT
Dawn House, Darwin
08 8945 1388
 
Domestic Violence Legal Service, Darwin
08 8999 7977
 
Top End Women’s Legal Service
1800 234 441 or 08 8982 3000
Qld
DV Connect
1800 811 811 or 07 3008 8294
 
Women’s Legal Service Queensland
1800 677 278 or 07 3392 0670
SA
Domestic Violence Gateway Helpline
1800 800 098
 
Women’s Legal Service SA
1800 816 349 or 08 8221 5553
Tas
Family Violence Response Referral Line
1800 633 937
 
Women’s Legal Service
1800 682 468
Vic
Women’s Domestic Violence Crisis Service
1800 015 188 or 03 9322 3555
 
Women’s Legal Service
1800 133 302 or 03 9642 0877
WA
Women’s Domestic Violence Helpline
1800 007 339 or 08 9223 1188
 
Domestic Violence Advocacy Service, Womens Health & Family Services
1800 998 399
 
Women’s Law Centre
1800 625 122

For legal information, referrals, and in some case advice, you can also talk to the legal aid provider in your state or territory.

ACT
Legal Aid ACT
1300 654 314
NSW
LawAccess NSW
1300 888 529
NT
NT Legal Aid Commission
1800 019 343
Qld
Legal Aid Queensland
1300 65 11 88
SA
Legal Services Commission of SA
1300 366 424 or 08 8463 3555
Tas
Legal Aid Commission of Tasmania
1300 366 611 or 03 6236 3800
Vic
Victoria Legal Aid
1800 677 402 or 03 9269 0120
WA
Legal Aid Western Australia
1300 650 579 or 08 9261 6222

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
ACT Neighbourhood Watch Association
0408 395 658
NT
Neighbourhood Watch NT
08 8999 0847
Qld
Neighbourhood Watch Queensland
Contact your local police station through 131 444
SA
WatchSA
Contact 08 7322 3292 and ask to be connected to your Local Service Area
Tas
Neighbourhood Watch Tasmania
131 444
Vic
Neighbourhood Watch Victoria
03 9865 2968
WA
Neighbourhood Watch WA
08 9222 1513

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.