Support Services
If an older women tells you she has been sexually assaulted - the first step is to ensure she is safe from further sexual assault by the alleged perpetrator. It is also important to determine if the older woman requires medical attention. If urgent, contact ‘000’ (triple zero) and arrange attendance of an Ambulance or, if less urgent, arrange suitable medical treatment.
There are a range of services you can contact if an older woman experiences sexual abuse. On this page we list some of the services - please contact us if you have any additional services you would like to include - or amendments you think we need to make.
There are a range of services you can contact if an older woman experiences sexual abuse. On this page we list some of the services - please contact us if you have any additional services you would like to include - or amendments you think we need to make.
Centres Against Sexual Assault (CASA)
Centres Against Sexual Assault (CASA) provide services to older people who have experienced sexual abuse as an older person, or who are dealing with their experience of childhood sexual assault. CASAs can work with the person who has experienced the abuse (including residents in aged care facilities) as well as non offending family members. Many sexual assault services are also provide information, support and education to aged care service providers. Service providers who are concerned about a client can ring their local CASA for a consultation.
To find your local CASA, call the National Sexual Assault, Domestic Family Violence Counselling Service, which was established to assist people affected by sexual assault, domestic or family violence to achieve recovery. The organisation provides a professional 24 hour telephone and online, crisis and trauma counselling service to anyone whose life has been impacted by sexual assault, domestic or family violence. Phone: 1800 737 732 or website: www.1800respect.org.au
To find your local CASA, call the National Sexual Assault, Domestic Family Violence Counselling Service, which was established to assist people affected by sexual assault, domestic or family violence to achieve recovery. The organisation provides a professional 24 hour telephone and online, crisis and trauma counselling service to anyone whose life has been impacted by sexual assault, domestic or family violence. Phone: 1800 737 732 or website: www.1800respect.org.au
Police
In most states and territories there are specialist sexual assault squads that deal with crimes of sexual assault. If you need to contact the police about a sexual assault please look for information on your local sexual assault team. Contacting a police sexual assault squad can mean that you are dealing with a police officer that has particular expertise in sexual assault prevention. Some of the teams include:
- Victoria: There are 29 Sexual Offences and Child Abuse Investigation Teams (SOCIT), to find the one closet to you click here
- Western Australia: Sex Assault Squad can be contacted by Tel: (08) 9428 1600 or visit web by clicking here
- New South Wales: See the option to report sexual assault online by clicking here
Family Violence Services
There are Family Violence services in every state and territory that can help to make sure the older women is safe from further abuse. To find out about Family Violence Services in your local area Phone: 1800 737 732 or website: www.1800respect.org.au
Victims Assistance Program
Victims Assistance Programs may be able to assist in providing support that enables older women to improve their safety.
Compulsory reporting in residential aged care
The compulsory reporting of assaults is the responsibility of an approved aged care provider under the Aged Care Act. Assaults include 'unlawful sexual contact' which is any sexual contact, without consent that is unlawful under any Commonwealth, State or Territory Law.
Approved providers must report to the Department of Health and the police incidents of alleged or suspected reportable assaults within 24 hours of the allegation, or when the approved provider starts to suspect a reportable assault. They are also required to take reasonable measures to ensure staff members report any suspicions or allegations of reportable assaults to the approved provider (or other authorised person), to the police and the Department and to take reasonable measures to protect the identity of any staff member who makes a report and protect them from victimisation.
There are limited circumstances to reporting if the assault is perpetrated by a resident with an assessed cognitive impairment or mental impairment and subsequent reports of the same or similar incident have been made. For more information on compulsory reporting click the link here
Approved providers must report to the Department of Health and the police incidents of alleged or suspected reportable assaults within 24 hours of the allegation, or when the approved provider starts to suspect a reportable assault. They are also required to take reasonable measures to ensure staff members report any suspicions or allegations of reportable assaults to the approved provider (or other authorised person), to the police and the Department and to take reasonable measures to protect the identity of any staff member who makes a report and protect them from victimisation.
There are limited circumstances to reporting if the assault is perpetrated by a resident with an assessed cognitive impairment or mental impairment and subsequent reports of the same or similar incident have been made. For more information on compulsory reporting click the link here
Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission
The role of Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission is to protect and enhance the safety, health, well-being and quality of life of people receiving aged care. They welcome feedback, concerns and inquiries during business hours Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm AEST on 1800 951 822 (free call) or check out their website here: https://www.agedcarequality.gov.au/
Older Person's Advocacy Network (OPAN)
The Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN) is a national network comprised of nine state and territory organisations that have been successfully delivering advocacy, information and education services to older people in metropolitan, regional, rural and remote Australia for over 25 years. OPAN’s free services support older people and their representatives to address issues related to Commonwealth funded aged care services. OPAN is funded by the Australian Government to deliver the National Aged Care Advocacy Program to provide a national voice for aged care advocacy and promote excellence and national consistency in the delivery of advocacy services under the Program.
Each state also operates an information and advice line available between 6am-10pm 7 days a week. Free Call: 1800 700 600. Your call will be answered in each state by the Older Persons Advocacy Network organisation in your state/territory. Check out the website at: https://opan.com.au/
Each state also operates an information and advice line available between 6am-10pm 7 days a week. Free Call: 1800 700 600. Your call will be answered in each state by the Older Persons Advocacy Network organisation in your state/territory. Check out the website at: https://opan.com.au/
