Elder abuse has gained significant attention in Australia in recent years as a serious problem requiring increased policy focus. Five abuse subtypes are commonly recognised: financial abuse, physical abuse, sexual abuse, psychological abuse (otherwise known as emotional abuse), and neglect.

The increasingly older age profile of the Australian population makes it particularly important to address elder abuse effectively. The 65 and over age group is expected to more than double from 3.8 million to 8.8 million in the next 25 years.

In Australia, research on elder abuse has been limited to studies looking at particular types of elder abuse (e.g. financial abuse), qualitative studies and those based on administrative data from services who provide support to older people. Such studies are unable to shed light on the proportion of older people aged 65 and over who experience elder abuse or which subtypes are most common. Nor are they able to assess other important issues, such as the extent to which elder abuse is under-reported.

As part of the National Plan to Respond to the Abuse of Older Australians, the Attorney-General's Department commissioned the most extensive empirical examination of elder abuse in Australia to date, the National Elder Abuse Prevalence Study. This report presents the findings of that research program. (From the website). Record #7431