"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
Older people experience sexual assault in residential aged care and in their own homes. The problem of sexual assault is compounded by the lack of education for service providers. With limited knowledge about sexual assault, service providers do not fully understand the power they have to prevent sexual assault.
The #ReadyToListen project aims to build 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. However, the project will include women, men and Trans and Gender Diverse people. The project will deliver education and resources, including an aged care Leadership Course, supporting aged care service providers through the practical steps involved in creating change.
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.
The #ReadyToListen project aims to build 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. However, the project will include women, men and Trans and Gender Diverse people. The project will deliver education and resources, including an aged care Leadership Course, supporting aged care service providers through the practical steps involved in creating change.
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.
Project stages
The project has seven stages, implemented over a 12 month period from May 2021:
- Stage 1: Develop an education module and best practice principles for residential aged care
- Stage 2: Deliver education to Elder Abuse services nationally
- Stage 3: Develop curriculum for Health Professionals
- Stage 4: Host a webinar for residential aged care services
- Stage 5: Work with older women to develop information for older women about their rights and support services
- Stage 6: Implement an Aged Care Leadership Course
- Stage 7: Host online workshops in partnership with leaders in aged care.
Leadership Course for Residential Aged Care
A 12-month Leadership Course began in August 2021 to coach 30 residential aged care service providers through the practical steps involved in educating their colleagues and improving services. The course enables us to support change in services and learn from service providers about what works. More information here
Education and Resources
Click on each of the following links to go to the #ReadyToListen resources developed:
- Immediate responses when sexual assault is disclosed, click here
- MAP for residential aged care, click here
- Resources for aged care advocates, click here
- Leadership Course, click here
- The voices of older women, click here
- Resources library, click here
Project Collective
We have established a Project Advisory, a group of people who will 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.
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