"I WAS GIVEN A BAG OF KNIVES TO HIDE BY AN ELDERLY WOMAN": NEWMAN WOMEN’S SHELTER STOP LAUNCHES IT’S TWO YEAR CAMPAIGN WITH HARROWING STORIES

Newman is a mining town in the Pilbara

“On one particularly unusual night, we were handed a green bag full of kitchen and hunting knives by the older neighbor next door who knew her older children may want to come home that night and wanted to hold all the possible weapons”.

This story was told by the Newman Woman’s Shelter chairperson Catherine Cole at the launch of a two-year “Honour and Respect our Elder’s” campaign in the country town of Newman in the Pilbara.

The issue of elder abuse is an open secret in the town, with many people in the room able to recall stories of abuse that were told to them, or witnessed first hand.

The room was packed with people wearing purple t-shirts with the slogan ‘Honour and respect our elders’.

Many people who had traveled from Perth and the Kimberley’s in support of the launch which rolled over four days included a gala dinner with cultural performances at Martumilli, a rugby tournament, and a cultural awareness training.

CEO of Newman Women’s Shelter, Arina Aoina started the campaign after the calls made to the shelter by people in the community.

“We would get calls telling us an elderly person was losing weight because they were not being fed”.

The frustration she felt towards the issue led her to start the campaign, in collaboration with multiple organizations around the Pilbara.

“This is something our community has to address".

WHAT IS ELDER ABUSE

According to the Australian government, elder abuse is an act where an implication of trust results in harm to an elder person. This abuse could be physical, sexual, social, or neglect.

15% of Australia’s population is over the age of 65 with the number expected to rise to 23% by 2055.

Currently, no studies have been done into the current incidence of elder abuse in the Pilbara despite stories of elder abuse being told.

While this is limited, the Royal Commission into aged care released earlier this year, found widespread abuse in the system.

The final report has recommended changes to the 1997 Aged Care act to create more safety mechanisms for the elderly.

If you or someone you know are experiencing something similar to elder abuse, please contact 1800ELDER to seek help.