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Our national team of advocates is available Monday to Friday 8am–8pm and Saturday 10am-4pm 

Self-advocacy toolkit

What you need to know for better aged care

Self-advocacy or speaking up means having the right information to get the care and support you need. Explore the topics below to start.

Home Protecting yourself from harm

Protecting yourself from harm

OPAN received almost 1400 calls about abuse in the six months to March 2023. We know that’s just the tip of the iceberg because, of the almost one in six (14.8 per cent) older people who reported experiencing abuse in the National Elder Abuse Prevalence Study, only one-third had sought help. Abuse can be psychological, emotional, physical, sexual, financial or due to neglect. Older people keep it secret because they feel ashamed – in nearly one in five cases, the abuse is committed by adult children – or because they fear negative repercussions. If you or someone you know needs help, call the National Elder Abuse helpline on 1800 353 374. Explore the topics below to learn more.

Identifying abuse

What are the signs of abuse of older people?

Restrictive practices in aged care

What is a restrictive practice and what are my rights?

Sexual assault in aged care

How to report and prevent sexual assault in aged care.

How to protect yourself

Practical tips to protect yourself from abuse.

Financial abuse

What is financial abuse and what are the risk factors?

Where to get help and support

Who can help if you or someone you know is experiencing abuse?

Need more support?
Call 1800 700 600