The Survey of Older People indicated that 1% of community-dwelling people aged 65 and older in Australia reported an experience of sexual abuse in the 12 months preceding the survey. (AIFS, 2022 )
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Research and factsheets
National Elder Abuse Research Program: The abuse and mistreatment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander older people. Final report | AIFS, 2026 | Access reportThis research project focuses on the abuse and mistreatment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander older people. It builds on knowledge of the nature and prevalence of abuse and mistreatment in the National Elder Abuse Prevalence Study.
Elder abuse in Australia: Sexual abuse – Findings from the National Elder Abuse Prevalence Study | AIFS, 2022 | Access snapshotThis snapshot provides the key findings of the Survey of Older People (2020), a nationally representative survey of 7,000 people aged 65 and over living in the community (i.e. they did not live in residential aged care settings).
SECASA is a welcoming space for Older Adults who have experienced sexual assault at any time in their lives. Support is also available for impacted family members, friends and carers.
Visit their site to learn about services, secondary consult, and to view factsheets and resources.
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Elder Abuse, Gender and Sexuality: Discussion paper from Seniors’ Rights Victoria | Read
Elder sexual abuse: Power and control wheel | SECASA | View
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Practice guides and tools
Providing tailored and inclusive support | Safe and Equal, 2025 | Access all materialsResponses to family violence must be inclusive, tailored and flexible, recognising each victim’s unique experiences and needs. This paper guides practitioners in delivering services that meet the safety and support needs of diverse communities.
Supporting older people | Safe + Equal | Go to
Respecting and valuing older people: Victoria’s Primary Prevention of Elder Abuse Framework | DFFH, 2026 | Access handbook
The handbook steps through the core framework. It supports professionals to plan action that addresses elder abuse at its root, informed by emerging and available evidence.
The framework features:
“An estimated 50 sexual assaults take place in residential aged care in Australia every week. Older people also experience sexual assault in their own homes…”
The #ReadyToListen project aims to build the skills and capacity of residential aged care service providers to better respond to – and prevent – sexual assault in residential aged care | View all written resources
Webinars and videos | Access recordings
Training: Responding to and preventing sexual assault in Residential Aged Care – Facilitator course and resources | Read more
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The information provided on this Family Violence Sexual Violence Knowledge Hub is curated to be the most recent and relevant available. While the content is continually being developed and will be regularly updated to reflect the latest insights and best practices, these resources are not exhaustive. While we strive to maintain the accuracy and timeliness of the information, we encourage users to check back frequently for new and refreshed materials, and to contact the relevant peak body if you would like more information about family violence, sexual violence and/or working with children and families in this context.
