World Elder Abuse Awareness Day 2025 resources

This web page provides a valuable set of tools, events and research to support sector professionals in their ongoing work to address elder abuse.

The collection showcases:

• resources that centre gender-based analysis in the prevention of elder abuse
• older people’s lived experience and the importance of a voice to government
• tools for addressing ageism online and in the workplace
• practical guides to recognise and respond to the abuse of older people.

The resources also include in-language content. All Victorians need access to important services and information about elder abuse.

Events

Applying a gender lens

The [un]Silencing of Older Women

The effect of gender inequality builds through younger years and adulthood and affects older women the most. Experiences of ageism intersect with gender, and other diverse identities or circumstances.

It is important to apply an intersectional and gendered lens to prevent and address elder abuse.

Celebrate Ageing has developed a suite of guides and reports as part of the [un]Silencing of Older Women initiative. Learn how gender inequality is experienced by older women and how to address elder abuse with a gender lens.

Explore the [un]Silencing of Older Women resources via the Celebrate Ageing publications web page:

• A gender lens for elder abuse – elements | principles | guidelines
• A gender lens for elder abuse – gender analysis and planning tool
• A life stages approach for the National Plan to End Violence Against Women and their Children.

TheBiscuitTin

Take part in Celebrate Ageing’s #TheBiscuitTin program, challenging ageism and sexism one batch of biscuits at a time.

A treasured item in many homes, biscuit tins are an iconic, cross-cultural symbol of the valuable roles older women play in our community.

Some older Victorian women share their recipes, stories of achievement and, of course, biscuit tins as part of Celebrate Ageing’s #TheBiscuitTin program.

This series highlights the contributions older women make as nurturers and carers, and asks us to value these roles, alongside their many other achievements.

The program is part of the annual Older Women Count campaign, which takes place in the lead up to International Women’s Day.

Highlighting lived experience

Senior Victorians Advisory Committee

For World Elder Abuse Awareness Day 2025, we chat with members of the Senior Victorians Advisory Committee.

What message would you like to share with the community this World Elder Abuse Awareness Day?

“Neglect is also abuse and is just as harmful. We judge the health of a society by the treatment of its most vulnerable. How do we measure up?”
– Linette Harriott

“Contemporary lifestyle and substantial disruptions to Aboriginal Culture, Tradition and Lore has eroded respect and values that our Elders (aged 50+) should be afforded, by all, without exception.”
– Aunty Gabby Gamble

“The biggest unrecognised abuse among multicultural communities is bringing older parents over to Australia for various reasons and thinking they are better off, while forgetting their overall wellbeing.”
– Mariamma (Maria) John

“We all need to look out for vulnerable seniors. All older people should know we are there for them and they will be supported and helped.”
– Brenda Appleton OAM

“It is essential to actively involve seniors in social events and activities. Feeling connected and engaged is crucial for our wellbeing.”
– Van Pho

Learn more about the Senior Victorians Advisory Committee and their role as a voice to government.

Beyond Age: changing the conversation about ageing

The Beyond Age project asks us to reflect on the experiences of ageing with empathy, inclusion and respect towards our fellow Victorians.

The online and in-person exhibition brings together photos of community members from their past and present. Alongside the images, participants share advice to their younger self.

These powerful messages emphasise the value in ageing. They also encourage conversations to address ageism and preserve the dignity of older people.

The Beyond Age project was launched for World Elder Abuse Awareness Day 2025 by Seniors Rights Victoria and Council on the Ageing (COTA) Victoria.

View the Beyond Age online exhibition.

Resources

All Victorians need access to important services and information about elder abuse. These resources developed by Ethnic Communities’ Council of Victoria (ECCV) in collaboration with Seniors Rights Victoria are available in English and multiple other languages.