Turn up the Volume! National conference to raise voices on elder abuse

Elder Abuse Action Australia (EAAA) and Aged Rights Advocacy Service (ARAS) are joining forces to present the 2024 Australian Elder Abuse Conference in Adelaide later this month.

The national conference takes place every two years and helps determine areas of focus for future reform. The theme of this year's conference is Turn up the Volume!, welcoming leading experts, advocates, professionals and community members to collectively raise their voices to end elder abuse.

Among the event's keynote speakers is Age Discrimination Commissioner Robert Fitzgerald AM. Commissioner Fitzgerald said that both awareness and action are top priorities when it comes to curbing elder abuse.

“Elder abuse is everyone’s responsibility. Coordinated efforts across all sectors is critically needed to achieve much-needed reform at the national level and better protect the human rights of all older people to be safe and live free from abuse.”

The Australian Human Rights Commission recorded 9085 calls to the National Elder Abuse phone line from July 2023 until the end of May 2024, an increase of 36 per cent compared to the same period of the previous year, and reports that 15 per cent of older Australians identify as having been abused.

With the second iteration of the National Plan to Respond to the Abuse of Older Australians due for release this year, Commissioner Fitzgerald has called for Enduring Power of Attorney reform and consistent adult safeguarding laws.

“Elder abuse is a highly prevalent and pervasive problem in Australia, but every one of us has the power to make a difference and help defeat it. Elder abuse is our personal responsibility, and we all need to be vigilant," he said.

“By coming together to both discuss the barriers facing older Australians and map out the ways we can make our country a safer and more equitable place, meaningful progress can be made.

“That is why I am honoured to be attending such an important conference, as we turn up the volume in the push for lasting change against elder abuse.”

Conference highlights include keynotes Anne Burgess AM, Chair of the Aged Care Council Of Elders and Aged Rights Advocacy Service (ARAS), former 60 Minutes reporter Tracey Curro, and award-winning Australian journalist, author and activist Jane Caro AM.

"We’re delighted at the inclusion of such high-quality keynote speakers. Each of them brings a wealth of knowledge, passion and dedication to the cause of preventing elder abuse," EAAA’s executive officer Bev Lange and ARAS chief executive Carolanne Barkla said.

"These speakers, together with the excellent program we’re curating, reflect the commitment of EAAA and ARAS to fostering meaningful conversations, driving change and advancing the mission of eliminating the abuse of older people at Turn Up The Volume!

"We urge everyone to join us as we amplify our voices in creating a future where older people live with dignity and free from the threat of abuse."

The conference takes place over three days (22/23/24 July) at the Adelaide Convention Centre and online.

Seniors members of the public are invited to take advantage of the available Seniors Card Session Pass.

Find more information or register your attendance here.