"Sexual assault devastates the lives of older people and is an absolute violation of their rights. This crime has been ignored or placed in the too hard basket for too long. It is a myth that low levels of reporting sexual assault equate to a low incidence of sexual assault. Low levels of reporting reflect the failure of providing safe, respectful pathways for older people, in particular women, to disclose what has happened to them. We need to listen to and learn from older women how to create pathways so they can safely disclose sexual assault. The #ReadyToListen project is the start of an ongoing process of acknowledging older people are sexually assaulted, that we must hold perpetrators accountable and develop prevention strategies."
Mr Craig Gear, CEO Older Persons Advocacy Network
Ready to listen
The #ReadyToListen project is building the skills and capacity of residential aged care service providers to better respond to and prevent the sexual assault in residential aged care. We recognise the gendered nature of violence (most sexual assaults are perpetrated by men against women) and the project includes women, men and Trans and Gender Diverse people.
The project is delivering education and resources to support residential aged care service providers through the practical steps involved in creating change. Information has also been developed for people living in residential aged care and their families.
The #ReadyToListen project commenced in May 2021 and will continue until December 2022. The project was funded by the Department of Health and is delivered by the Older Person's Advocacy Network, in partnership with Celebrate Ageing and the Older Women's Network, New South Wales. The Project Coordinator, Dr Catherine Barrett, is the Director of Celebrate Ageing and long term advocate for prevention of the sexual assault of older women.
The project is delivering education and resources to support residential aged care service providers through the practical steps involved in creating change. Information has also been developed for people living in residential aged care and their families.
The #ReadyToListen project commenced in May 2021 and will continue until December 2022. The project was funded by the Department of Health and is delivered by the Older Person's Advocacy Network, in partnership with Celebrate Ageing and the Older Women's Network, New South Wales. The Project Coordinator, Dr Catherine Barrett, is the Director of Celebrate Ageing and long term advocate for prevention of the sexual assault of older women.
Key resources developed
All the resources developed are listed on the #ReadyToListen MAP webpage (click here) and other broad categories of resources includes the following:
- A #ReadyToListen MAP: a suite of resources around 10 elements of change: click here
- Online modules for residential aged care service providers: coming soon
- Information for people living in residential aged care: coming soon
- Information for families: coming soon
- Listening to older women: click here
- Listening to people living with dementia: coming soon
- Community leaders campaign: coming soon
- Project report: coming soon
Key outcomes
We would like to thank all the service providers, older people, families and community members who shared their experiences and their expertise. You have helped us to take these critically important first steps - we are truly grateful to you all for that.
Project Collective
We established a Project Advisory, a group of people who have support the project and share their expertise to help ensure successful outcomes. The Collective includes representation from key stakeholder groups nationally. Read our terms of reference here.
Contact us
If you would like more information about this project, please contact:
- Project Coordinator Dr Catherine Barrett by phone on: 0429582237 or email: director@celebrateageing.com
- Helen Walker, The Older Person's Advocacy Network (OPAN) on (02) 8246 7019 or education@opan.com.au
- Older Women's Network NSW: manager@ownnsw.org.au
Partners
The #ReadyToListen project has been funded by the Department of Health and is being delivered by the Older Person's Advocacy Network, in partnership with Celebrate Ageing and the Older Women's Network, New South Wales. The Project Coordinator, Dr Catherine Barrett, is the Director of Celebrate Ageing and long term advocate for prevention of the sexual assault of older women.
Media
Media coverage of the project is important because it helps to build awareness of the need for change, increases take up of the resources and
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