COTA NT marks World Elder Abuse Awareness Day 2021
15 Jun 2021
COTA NT staff are wearing purple today to mark World Elder Abuse Awareness Day 2021. This UN designated date encourages organisations across the world to raise awareness of the issue of elder abuse, to promote the services and supports available to anyone suffering from elder abuse and to continue to work towards eradicating it.
This year, you can join COTA NT COTA NT (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 for an information community barbecue on the lawns outside Spillett House between 12.30pm and 2.00pm. No bookings are required and the barbecue is free. You can talk to advocates about your questions and get advice where needed. Confidential interview areas available indoors.
Working to prevent abuse in the NT
COTA NT is one of a number of agencies working to address issues of ‘elder abuse’ and build services in this area.
- NT Elder Abuse/Older Person’s Abuse Response Services – Consists of Department of Territory Families, Housing and Communities – Office of Senior Territorians, COTA NT, Anglicare NT, Darwin Community Legal Service (DCLS), Relationships Australia , Australian Security & Investment Commission, Catholic Care NT, Central Australian Women’s Legal Service (CAWLS).*
- Purpose: To build a map of what is available to Territorians and to share information.
- COTA NT host Seniors Expos throughout the year inviting all agencies to attend and promote community awareness of their services.
- DCLS providing training workshops for service providers to identify types of elder abuse; provide community awareness and develop TV campaign.
- Relationships Australia delivering Senior Relationships Services.
- Anglicare looking at incorporating elder abuse into risk assessment at intakes and want to increase knowledge of services that can help clients in remote areas.
- Four geriatricians work in Darwin and services are slowly building.
*COTA NT is pleased to work with these organisations – major sponsors or Club and Associate Members (excluding CAWLS) – to improve the well-being and circumstances of senior Territorians.
Visit our information page for ways on how you can get involved with raising awareness of elder abuse and free resource kits.
