Elder Abuse Prevention Network: north and west metropolitan regions
Working together to stop elder abuse.
What is it?
The Elder Abuse Prevention Network aims to stop elder abuse through education, resources and campaigns. Merri Health leads the Network for both the northern and western metropolitan regions.
There are 10 Elder Abuse Prevention Networks in Victoria.
Location
Activities are conducted by member organisations across the northern and western suburbs of Melbourne.
Contact
Meg Humphrey (Elder Abuse Prevention Project Officer) – 0475 689 308
Email: ElderAbusePreventionNetwork@merrihealth.org.au
More information
Download print-ready tools
- Elder Abuse Response Flowchart for Service Providers
- Readiness checklist for organisations to identify and respond to elder abuse
About the Elder Abuse Prevention Network
How did it come about?
The Elder Abuse Prevention Networks are in response to recommendations from the Royal Commission into Family Violence. The Victorian Government is funding the establishment of 10 elder abuse networks to collaborate at a community level and focus on the prevention of elder abuse.
How are we working to make change?
The northern and western metropolitan region Networks:
- strengthen a network of community and professional representatives motivated to prevent elder abuse in their local community
- explore the causes of elder abuse and work on targeted and inclusive activities to challenge and change social attitudes
- conduct activities with the broader community including older people, to raise awareness and provide information of where to get help
- build the capacity of service providers to understand elder abuse and conduct primary prevention activities.
Family Violence Services during COVID-19
Research tells us that family violence can increase during times of crisis. With COVID-19 restrictions in place, it is more important than ever that staff and volunteers have access to information about family violence services.
Northern region
This quick reference guide to understand referral and secondary consultation options has been developed by the Northern Integrated Family Violence Services (NIFVS) Team to build workforce capacity and provide information to strengthen responses to family violence in the northern metropolitan region.
Western region
The Western Integrated Family Violence Committee have developed COVID-19 information and resources that can be accessed here.
The Women’s Health West have information and resources that can be accessed here.
Elder abuse resources
Information, support and referral pathways.
Preventing Elder Abuse: A literature review for the SMPCP Elder Abuse Prevention Network
Rapid literature review on primary prevention of elder abuse. Offers emerging conclusions and recommendations for action
National Plan to Respond to Abuse of Older Australians (Elder Abuse) 2019 - 2023
Overview of issues that governments need to act on as a priority, and early agreed actions, developed by state and territory government agencies.
Practical guide principally for workers in health agencies and community services that support older people.
Elder Abuse Community Action Plan for Victoria - February 2018
Action plan for people and organisations who have a demonstrated commitment to preventing and combating elder abuse.
Understanding Elder Abuse: A scoping study
Review of published literature on elder abuse with specific focus on intergenerational elder abuse.
Based on FMC Mediation and Counselling's experience of providing front line response services to older people affected by elder abuse over the last three years.
Bystanders in primary prevention programs: Advice for Elder Abuse Prevention Networks
Summary of recent literature on the role of bystanders in family violence primary prevention, and the framing of messages about elder abuse to assist members of Elder Abuse Prevention Networks to design and plan activities.
A guide produced by the Commonwealth Bank for over 50's to help protect against financial elder abuse.
Respect Older People: call it out
A campaign that educates community about elder abuse as a form of family violence. Supporting materials are available in five languages: Arabic, Chinese, Greek, Italian and Vietnamese.
Developed by national peak body Elder Abuse Action Australia, this resource offers a guide on how to respond to instances of abuse and resources to support older people and their families.
Australian Human Rights Commission
Information, links and marketing collateral by the Australian Government to highlight elder abuse prevention.