Here's the shocking truth about sexual abuse in later life—and how older Aussies can fight back
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Content warning: This article contains references to sexual abuse.
The stories of older Australians who suffered in silence for years are now being brought into the spotlight.
Behind closed doors—in homes, care facilities, and even during simple acts of kindness—many remain vulnerable to abuse they cannot name.
Advocates say what is happening is one of the most neglected forms of harm against older people, and it is time for it to be addressed.
A Queensland parliamentary inquiry was underway to examine the devastating consequences of elder abuse—ranging from physical, sexual, psychological and emotional harm, to financial exploitation.
According to the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety, an estimated 50 incidents of unlawful sexual contact occurred in residential aged care facilities every week, described in the report as a ‘disgrace’.
For Gold Coast Centre Against Sexual Violence founder Di Macleod, the inquiry was an opportunity to highlight the often invisible reality of elder sexual abuse.
‘If we are talking about elder abuse, we need to very clearly include elder sexual abuse,’ she said.
Ms Macleod, who had supported victims for 35 years, urged the need for greater awareness about how elder sexual abuse was defined and recognised.
‘Because many women out there right now that are being sexually abused wouldn't put that label to it,’ she said.
The National Elder Abuse Prevalence Study in 2021 revealed that nearly one in six older Australians reported abuse within the past year, yet only one-third sought help.
The most common form of abuse was psychological (11.7 per cent), followed by neglect (2.9 per cent), financial abuse (2.1 per cent), physical abuse (1.8 per cent) and sexual abuse (1 per cent).
The Queensland inquiry had already held 12 regional hearings, with its fourth public hearing taking place in Brisbane.
Families, experts, and advocates had called for nationally consistent Enduring Powers of Attorney laws and the introduction of adult safeguarding measures.
A 24-hour sexual assault support service run by The Women’s Centre in Townsville had assisted 41 older women in the past three years.
Chief executive Catherine Crawford warned that even small gestures of help—such as a neighbour assisting with chores or a taxi driver carrying groceries—could pose risks.
‘We have had examples of even just anyone helping an older person—like a taxi driver taking groceries in or a friend from next door giving a hand doing something—that can be a risk, and we certainly have women offended upon when people are supposedly helping out an elderly person,’ she said.
Ms Crawford said older people living at home were often more isolated and more reliant on carers than those in aged care facilities, which left them vulnerable to opportunistic offenders.
She called for safeguards similar to those protecting children, asking: ‘What measures do we have in terms of ensuring no-one is going in who has a history of sexual offending?’
Celebrate Ageing chief executive Catherine Barrett echoed the concerns, saying sexual abuse was ‘one of the most neglected forms of elder abuse’.
‘Older people are sexual beings and have sexual rights and responsibilities, and we just haven't talked about it and so we've not protected older people,’ Dr Barrett said.
She had worked with Aged and Disability Advocates Australia and other organisations on programs to better understand elder abuse through a gender lens.
Uniting Care’s 2023–24 review into elder abuse in Queensland showed twice as many women than men were victims.
Dr Barrett said gender shaped both the types of abuse people endured and the way they sought support.
‘Every step of the journey towards elder abuse and healing and recovery is a gendered experience,’ she said.
The committee was expected to hand down its report in December.
Behind every statistic are real people whose lives have been shaken by abuse that often goes unseen.
The Queensland inquiry is just one part of a larger national conversation about how vulnerable groups are treated and protected.
Another case highlights how even within families, the most personal relationships can become a source of harm.
Read more: Advocates call for elder abuse laws as one in seven senior Territorians face family abuse
Losing one’s safety and dignity in later life is a devastating reality—how do we ensure older Australians are finally protected?
The stories of older Australians who suffered in silence for years are now being brought into the spotlight.
Behind closed doors—in homes, care facilities, and even during simple acts of kindness—many remain vulnerable to abuse they cannot name.
Advocates say what is happening is one of the most neglected forms of harm against older people, and it is time for it to be addressed.
A Queensland parliamentary inquiry was underway to examine the devastating consequences of elder abuse—ranging from physical, sexual, psychological and emotional harm, to financial exploitation.
According to the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety, an estimated 50 incidents of unlawful sexual contact occurred in residential aged care facilities every week, described in the report as a ‘disgrace’.
For Gold Coast Centre Against Sexual Violence founder Di Macleod, the inquiry was an opportunity to highlight the often invisible reality of elder sexual abuse.
Inquiry exposes hidden sexual abuse in care. Image source: Pexels/RDNE Stock project
Disclaimer: This is a stock image used for illustrative purposes only and does not depict the actual person, item, or event described.
Disclaimer: This is a stock image used for illustrative purposes only and does not depict the actual person, item, or event described.
‘If we are talking about elder abuse, we need to very clearly include elder sexual abuse,’ she said.
Ms Macleod, who had supported victims for 35 years, urged the need for greater awareness about how elder sexual abuse was defined and recognised.
‘Because many women out there right now that are being sexually abused wouldn't put that label to it,’ she said.
The National Elder Abuse Prevalence Study in 2021 revealed that nearly one in six older Australians reported abuse within the past year, yet only one-third sought help.
The most common form of abuse was psychological (11.7 per cent), followed by neglect (2.9 per cent), financial abuse (2.1 per cent), physical abuse (1.8 per cent) and sexual abuse (1 per cent).
The Queensland inquiry had already held 12 regional hearings, with its fourth public hearing taking place in Brisbane.
Families, experts, and advocates had called for nationally consistent Enduring Powers of Attorney laws and the introduction of adult safeguarding measures.
A 24-hour sexual assault support service run by The Women’s Centre in Townsville had assisted 41 older women in the past three years.
Chief executive Catherine Crawford warned that even small gestures of help—such as a neighbour assisting with chores or a taxi driver carrying groceries—could pose risks.
‘We have had examples of even just anyone helping an older person—like a taxi driver taking groceries in or a friend from next door giving a hand doing something—that can be a risk, and we certainly have women offended upon when people are supposedly helping out an elderly person,’ she said.
Ms Crawford said older people living at home were often more isolated and more reliant on carers than those in aged care facilities, which left them vulnerable to opportunistic offenders.
She called for safeguards similar to those protecting children, asking: ‘What measures do we have in terms of ensuring no-one is going in who has a history of sexual offending?’
Celebrate Ageing chief executive Catherine Barrett echoed the concerns, saying sexual abuse was ‘one of the most neglected forms of elder abuse’.
‘Older people are sexual beings and have sexual rights and responsibilities, and we just haven't talked about it and so we've not protected older people,’ Dr Barrett said.
She had worked with Aged and Disability Advocates Australia and other organisations on programs to better understand elder abuse through a gender lens.
Uniting Care’s 2023–24 review into elder abuse in Queensland showed twice as many women than men were victims.
Dr Barrett said gender shaped both the types of abuse people endured and the way they sought support.
‘Every step of the journey towards elder abuse and healing and recovery is a gendered experience,’ she said.
The committee was expected to hand down its report in December.
Behind every statistic are real people whose lives have been shaken by abuse that often goes unseen.
The Queensland inquiry is just one part of a larger national conversation about how vulnerable groups are treated and protected.
Another case highlights how even within families, the most personal relationships can become a source of harm.
Read more: Advocates call for elder abuse laws as one in seven senior Territorians face family abuse
Losing one’s safety and dignity in later life is a devastating reality—how do we ensure older Australians are finally protected?
