Are older Australians really safer from crime? The evidence says the harms are just harder to see
Following the deaths of two older women in alleged family violence incidents, it’s time to examine how crime affects older Australians – and what we can do about it.
Recent murders of three elderly women in New South Wales have reignited discussions about the safety of older Australians. While older people are generally less likely to be victims of crime, they do face unique vulnerabilities. Financial scams and abuse by known individuals are the most common issues, but rates of abuse have remained unchanged over time.
Older Australians are disproportionately affected by financial scams, losing more money than any other age group, despite making up only a small percentage of the population. Abuse by family members, particularly financial abuse, is also a concern, with around 64% of abusers being family members. Factors such as being single, renting, or having poor health can increase the risk of becoming a victim.
The issue of elder abuse is likely under-reported due to shame, embarrassment, and fear of judgment. Family violence, particularly perpetrated by family members, is also a significant issue for older Australians, with sons and daughters being the most common perpetrators. Understanding the scope of the problem requires further research, including repeating the National Elder Abuse Prevalence Study.
Written by urgent.news from The Conversation AU's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
