First Nations Australians urge community to yarn about the abuse of older Australians

With 1 in 6 people aged 65 years and older across Australia experiencing some form of abuse, high-profile First Nations Elders Yalmay Yunupiŋu, 2024 Senior Australian of the Year, and Charlie King OAM have joined together to urge community to have a yarn about the abuse of older people.

The new campaign by the Australian Government, spearheaded by the Attorney-General’s Department, aims to increase awareness across the Australian community about the abuse of older people. This includes highlighting the help and services available, and the importance of working together as a community to help support our older people. 

Yalmay Yunupiŋu says “Elders are the backbone of our families and communities, and they deserve dignity and respect, but sometimes abuse can happen to our older people. We all know the abuse of older people isn’t part of our culture, so we need to come together and yarn about it so we can stop it from happening.”

Sometimes, abuse can be hard to spot, as it’s often carried out by someone a person knows and trusts such as a partner, family member or carer. It can be even harder to spot because abuse isn’t always physical, in fact the different types of abuse can include emotional abuse, financial abuse, sexual abuse or neglect.

Veteran sports broadcaster turned human rights campaigner, Charlie King OAM is a proud Gurindji man from the Northern Territory and says “None of us like to think that the abuse of our older people is happening in our communities, or in any communities across Australia. But if you feel like something isn’t right with you or someone you know, have a talk to someone you trust, such as a family member, a friend or a health care worker. Together, we can all do something about it, starting with a yarn.”

There are five main types of abuse of older people, including:

Emotional or psychological abuse – this is the most common type of abuse older people experience and can include name calling, being put down, or being shamed. For example, an older person might be told ‘You’re useless! Good for nothing!’ or threatened with things like ‘Forget seein’ ya grandies!’

Financial abuse – this is when an older person’s money is spent without their knowledge or against their will. Sometimes, family members will sell an older person’s home without permission, keep their change after helping with shopping, or constantly humbug them for money.

Neglect – this happens when someone who is looking after an older person doesn’t meet their basic needs, such as preparing meals or helping them to shower. Neglect can happen deliberately, or it can be unintentional, like when a carer is struggling to cope but feels as if they can’t ask for help.

Physical abuse – if an action causes or threatens physical pain, injury or distress, it’s wrong. It’s never okay to shake or hit an older person, unlawfully restrain them or threaten them with a weapon of any kind.

Sexual abuse – anything that makes an older person feel uncomfortable, uneasy or unhappy about their body, gender or sexuality is considered abuse, or any act of a sexual nature done without an older person’s consent.

“Older people are our cultural custodians, mentors, advocates, leaders and cherished loved ones, and abuse of our older people is never okay,” says Charlie. “We need to learn how to spot it and understand how to help, so that our older people can live with the dignity they deserve.”

Yalmay and Charlie have come together in a video to ask all mob to yarn about the abuse of older people, and highlight that support is available. An animated video to help First Nations people recognise the different types of abuse of older people, and to know where to go to seek support, has also been developed. These videos, and further information, can be found at https://www.compass.info/campaign/beginswithaconversation/first-nations/

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