Safety and elder abuse
COTA NT works towards the prevention of elder abuse by advocating for stronger safety protections, raising awareness of safety and elder abuse issues, collaborating with other advocates to promote education and directing individuals to support services.
We maintain strong relationships through our Club and Associate membership with key organisations delivering information, workshops and events and support. These include:
Reference
- NT News October 2025 – NT seniors speak out after wave of youth crime wave with dangerous weapons
Speaking out after an attack by two boys, aged 10 and 12, CEO Sue Shearer was asked what needed to change, she said she wanted to see an end to “free bus travel” for children not going to school. “Many of these kids get around because they catch the free bus,” she said. “So maybe we should change it so they can’t catch the bus after 8.30am unless they’ve got a school pass. “I think that’s one of the things the government should look at: Why should they be able to travel free on a bus to create havoc and assault people? That’s just wrong.”
- The Stand COTA NT completed a Domestic and Family Violence Action Plan (DVAP) in 2025 support of NO MORE/ Catholic Care NT’s initiative to have 90 groups create 90 VAP in 90 days and committed to 6 key actions including advocacy against ageism and elder abuse, staff training, assistance to NO MORE (information sharing) and workshop hosting.
- Breaking the Silence In February 2025, Elder Abuse Action Australia (EAAA) launched a new podcast series called ‘Breaking the Silence’, to amplify the voices of lived and living experience. Stakeholders in the Northern Territory were invited to contact EAAA if they had experience of elder abuse and wanted to share their story.
- Help to Tackle Elder Abuse: Community Focus Groups – Elder Abuse Action Australia In September 2024, COTA NT assisted COTA Australia and EAAA (Elder Abuse Action Australia) to promote awareness of Community Focus Groups and to send an expression of interest to attend dates in Darwin and in Katherine. COTA NT designed a flyer and used its marketing channels to promote the initiative. The focus groups were intended to help guide and inform the development of educational and awareness-raising materials to be used by those working with senior Territorians at risk.
- World Elder Abuse Awareness Day 2022 – joined other agencies to promote the Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN) information and advice line, free to call 1800 700 600 plus supports and services in the Northern Territory.
- World Elder Abuse Awareness Day 2021 – jointly hosted community BBQ at COTA Head Office with Aged Care Navigator, NT Seniors Card and CaLD Program Managers, Casuarina Lions, Relationships Australia, Darwin Community Legal Service, Services Australia (Centrelink) and Office of the Public Guardian. Joined by the Hon Lauren Moss MLA Minister for Seniors and Ms Sally Sievers, Commissioner of the NT’s Anti-Discrimination Commission.
- World Elder Abuse Awareness Day 2020 – issued joint statement in conjunction with Relationships Australia, Darwin Community Legal Services and Catholic Care NT. Staff wore purple for promotional work raising awareness of elder abuse.
- World Elder Abuse Awareness Day 2019 – included promotion of Elder-Abuse-Prevention-Project-Final-Report and National-plan-to-respond-to-the-abuse-of-older-australians
- World Elder Abuse Awareness Day 2018 – collaborated with Darwin Community Legal Service for an Elder Abuse Awareness Workshop which included video presentations and painting ‘Respect Value Protect’with artist Sandra Kendal. Published in the NT News on the topic of financial abuse of the elderly.
- World Elder Abuse Awareness Day 2016 – collaborated with Darwin Community Legal Service for Elder Abuse Presentation 2016.
- World Elder Abuse Awareness Day 2015 – first event marketing included in campaign to raise community awareness of elder abuse or older persons’ abuse in the Northern Territory. Included Elder Abuse Presentation 2015.
Page updated 9 February 2026
