FECCA recently made a submission to the Australian Law Reform Commission’s inquiry into elder abuse.

Almost one in three older Australians were born overseas, with a signi cant number of these coming from CALD backgrounds. Almost 40% of all migrants from non-English speaking countries are aged 50 years and over, compared to 32.4% of Australia’s total population aged 50+ years.

While there is limited data available, FECCA assumes that the prevalence of elder abuse in CALD communities is similar to prevalence in the general community, however for those from CALD backgrounds the issue is exacerbated by issues particular to their communities. These issues include lack of (or low level of) English language skills, lack of knowledge of services and dependency on family members. Social and/ or physical isolation is common; by controlling nances and denying the abused person access to an interpreter for instance, and visa status dependency may be used as a threat.

FECCA’s submission raised a number of issues for the Commission’s consideration, including Australia’s migration law framework, the importance of informed consent, guardianship and power of attorney, aged care services, the NDIS, and the role of health services. 

You can read the submission  HERE