The estimated number of alleged incidents of unlawful sexual contact in 2018-19 could be as high as 2520, or almost 50 per week. This is a disgrace and should be a source of national shame. 
The Royal Commission into Quality and Safety in Aged Care, Final Report 2021 (p. 150)

About the Power Project

The Power Project is a repository of information on preventing the sexual abuse of older women. It's about recognising that when we educate ourselves about the facts and when we listen to older women, we have the power to prevent sexual assault. The sexual assault of older women is a problem at home and in residential aged care and our inaction allows this crime to continue. In 2020 there were 850 reports of 'unwanted sexual contact' in residential aged care for the previous year and KPMG research demonstrated an unreported figure in the tens of thousands - with expected higher prevalence at home. 

The Power Project was founded by Dr Catherine Barrett, Director of The OPAL Institute. Catherine has been working to address the sexual rights of older people for the past 20+ years. 

Resources 

This website was launched with basic information that will be build on this over time. Please contact us if you have some information you would like to share - or suggestions about what needs to be included on this page. Current pages are listed below and click the boxes below to go to the webpages.
  • ​Support services here
  • Definitions here
  • Prevalence here
  • Compulsory reporting in residential care here
  • Mandatory reporting for health practitioners here
  • Serious incident response scheme (SIRS) here
  • Frameworks for change here​
  • ​​Reports and resources here
  • #SheToo (strategies for listening) here
  • #InHerShoes (older women's views on reporting) here
  • #WalkWithHer (solidarity) here
  • Margarita's story here
  • Timeline of reforms here
  • Royal Commission Aged Care here
  • Media Briefing sexual assault here
  • Impacts here

Confidential helpline: 1800respect

​1800RESPECT is funded by the Australian Government’s Department of Social Services to provide support for: people experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, sexual assault, domestic or family violence; their friends and family; Workers and professionals supporting someone experiencing, or at risk of experiencing sexual assault, domestic or family violence. It is a confidential service available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Go to the website or ring them on 1800 737 732 for:
  1. Information: on sexual assault, domestic and family violence, abuse, and other issues
  2. Referral: to put you in touch with people and services that can help
  3. Counselling: what you talk about and how much you say is up to you. The service can listen and work with you to come up with things that might help. Workers and professionals can also use this service.

Join the Campaign

A number of individuals, organisations and services have already committed to support the Power Project. Please see our Champions page for more information. You can help us to make a difference by printing a poster, spreading the word, delivering education, providing funding (any amount), adopting guides or becoming an organisational partner. Please contact us using the details below.

Contact us

Dr Catherine Barrett
Coordinator, The Power Project
PO Box 1377 St Kilda South 3182
Phone: 0429 582 237
​Email: [email protected]