Information for Aged Care Advocacy Services
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. The project will deliver education and resources and support leaders in aged care. A critical component of this project is building the capacity of Aged Care Advocacy services to support older women and their families when sexual assault is reported. The work with Aged Care Advocacy services includes the following:
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. Project Coordinator Dr Catherine Barrett, a long term advocate for prevention of the sexual assault of older women. For more information on the project check out the webpage here.
- Understanding needs: a brief survey of Aged Care Advocacy Services to understand their support needs
- Piloting education: rolling out online education on sexual assault for Aged Care Advocacy Services
- Undertaking a #ReadyToListen Pledge: sharing messages of support on social media campaign to promote service access
- Undertaking a Leadership Course: a 12 month program supporting Aged Care Advocacy and residential aged care services.
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. Project Coordinator Dr Catherine Barrett, a long term advocate for prevention of the sexual assault of older women. For more information on the project check out the webpage here.
Understanding needs
In 2021 a confidential project survey will be distributed to SDOs in the OPAN network. The aim of the survey is to understand the education needs of Aged Care Advocacy Services - and to use this information to develop education. A link to the survey will be sent out by OPAN.
Education module
An education module on sexual assault will be developed specifically for Aged Care Advocacy Services. The education will be piloted in an online workshop hosted by OPAN. More information coming soon.
The Pledge
Once Aged Care Advocacy services have undertaken education on sexual assault, they will be invited to publicly display a message of support for older women who are sexually assaulted. The Pledge will involve a portrait of the staff members holding the message #ReadyToListen. This approach sends a very important message to older women and their families - that older women do not need to feel ashamed of sexual assault and that services have been education on sexual assault and are ready to listen and provide support. More information coming soon.
Leadership Course
We are calling for an Aged Care Advocacy service to participate in the pilot #ReadyToListen Leadership Course. More details of the Course are available here
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.