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)

Prevalence

There is a growing body of evidence on the prevalence of sexual assault of older women - and still there are so many gaps. Often in information on Elder Abuse you will note reference to statements like 'financial abuse is the most common form of elder abuse, sexual abuse is rare.' It is more accurate to say that sexual assault of older women is rarely reported - and we need to understand why this is the case ie: our silence and our silencing are barriers to understanding the real prevalence. 

There is a growing focus on sexual assault in residential aged care - because this is a significant issue. We believe that the prevalence of sexual assault of older women in their own homes (by family members and service providers) is likely to be even higher. Key barriers to the focus on sexual assault at home include the disempowering influence of historical marital rape immunity laws on older women - and the lack of focus by family violence and sexual assault services. 

Family violence

Those who perpetrate family violence do not stop when they reach 65 years. We often hear people refer to 'family violence grown old' or the violence in intimate relationships continuing into old age.  Research shows 14.6% of women in Australia have experienced physical or sexual violence - it is ageist to suggest this stops at 65 years. 

Residential Aged Care

In residential aged care data in 'unlawful sexual contact' is published annually in the Report on the Operation of the Aged Care Act. This data is generated by compulsory reporting and does not reflect the total number of sexual assaults. In 2020, the Department of Health released findings of a study by KPMG into incidents of sexual assault in 178 homes. Data from these reports is shared below. 

The Royal Commission into Quality and Safety in Aged Care's Final Report 2021 (p. 150) noted that: 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. See report here

KPMG research

KPMG was engaged by the Department of Health to conduct research into the prevalence of serious incidents in residential aged care. The Prevalence Study for a Serious Incident Report Scheme reviewed 178 residential aged care homes and identified an estimate of 1730 incidents of sexual assault nationally. It is worth noting that staff were asked to rate the impact of the incidents on residents and 58% said the sexual assault had no impact on the victim. 

Sector Performance Data

Annual data on sexually assault is now reported in an aged care sector performance report, published quarterly since 2021. Prior to this data was published in a report on the operation of the aged care act (see below). The bullet points below summarise the data from the aged care sector performance report:

Report on the Operation of the Aged Care Act

The Report on the Operation of the Aged Care Act 1997 (the Act) meets the requirement of section 63-2 of the Act that the Minister present to Parliament a report on the operation of the Act for each financial year. This report describes the operation of the Act during 2015–16 and includes additional information to aid an understanding of aged care programmes and policies. Check out the Department's website here for more information or copies of the reports below:
  • 2019-2020 report (page 90): In 2019–20, 5,718 notifications in relation to assaults were reported under the Act. Of those 4,867 were recorded as alleged or suspected unreasonable use of force, 816 as alleged or suspected unlawful sexual contact, and 35 as both. With 244,363 people receiving permanent residential care in 2019–20, the incidence of reports of suspected or alleged assaults was 2.3 per cent. 
  • 2018-2019 report (page 83): In 2018–19, the department received 5,233 notifications in relation to assaults reported under the Act. Of these 4,443 were recorded as alleged or suspected unreasonable use of force, 739 as alleged or suspected unlawful sexual contact, and 51 as both. With 242,612 people receiving permanent residential care in 2018–19, the incidence of reports of suspected or alleged assaults was 2.16 per cent. 
  • 2017-2018 report (page 79): In 2017–18, the department received 4,013 notifications in relation to assaults. Of these 3,773 were required to be reported under the Act. Of the 3,773, 3,226 were recorded as alleged or suspected unreasonable use of force, 513 as alleged or suspected unlawful sexual contact, and 34 as both. With 241,723 people receiving permanent residential care in 2017–18, the incidence of reports of suspected or alleged assaults was 1.6 per cent.
  • 2016-2017 report: (page 83): In 2016–17, the department received 2,853 notifications of reportable assaults. Of those, 2,463 were recorded as alleged or suspected unreasonable use of force, 348 as alleged or suspected unlawful sexual contact, and 42 as both. With 239,379 people receiving permanent residential care in 2016–17, the incidence of reports of suspected or alleged assaults was 1.2 per cent.
  • 2015-2016 report: (page 78): In 2015–16, the Department received 2,862 notifications of reportable assaults. Of those, 2,422 were recorded as alleged or suspected unreasonable use of force, 396 alleged or suspected unlawful sexual contact, and 44 as both. With 234,931 people receiving permanent residential care in 2015–16, the incidence of reports of suspected or alleged assaults was 1.2 per cent. 
  • 2014-2015 report (page 115): In 2014–15, the Department received 2,625 notifications of reportable assaults. Of those, 2,199 were recorded as alleged or suspected unreasonable use of force, 379 as alleged or suspected unlawful sexual contact, and 47 as both. With 231,555 people receiving permanent residential care in 2014–15, the incidence of reports of suspected or alleged assaults was 1.1 per cent. 
  • 2013-2014 report (page 74): In 2013–14, the Department received 2,353 notifications of reportable assaults. Of those, 1,983 were recorded as alleged or suspected unreasonable use of force, 333 as alleged or suspected unlawful sexual contact and 37 as both. With 231,515 people receiving permanent residential care in 2013–14, the incidence of reports of suspected or alleged assaults was 1.0 per cent. 
  • 2012-2013 report (page 73): In 2012–13, the Department received 2,256 notifications of reportable assaults. Of those, 1,878 were recorded as alleged or suspected unreasonable use of force, 349 as alleged or suspected unlawful sexual contact and 29 as both. With 226,042 people receiving permanent residential care in 2012–13, the incidence of reports of suspected or alleged assaults was 1.0 per cent.​
  • 2011-2012 report
  • 2010-2011 report (page 82): In 2010-2011 the Department received notification of 1,815 alleged reportable assaults. Of those, 1,499 were recorded as alleged unreasonable use of force, 284 as alleged unlawful sexual contact and 32 as both. 
  • 2009-2010 report
  • 2008-2009 report
  • 2006-2007 report: page 74 note amendment to Record Principles to include compulsory reporting of sexual assault
  • 2005-2006 report: page 45 (section 4.2.1) for mention of compulsory reporting of sexual abuse  
  • 2004-2005 report.

See images below for total number of incidents (graph on left) and rate per 1000 residents - source (link)