Ageing and Disability Commission data shows increased reports about abuse by relatives

31 October 2024

The NSW Ageing and Disability Commission (ADC) and Official Community Visitor 2023-24 Annual Reports were tabled in NSW Parliament today. 

Calls and reports to the ADC about abuse, neglect and exploitation of older people and adults with disability continued to increase in 2023-24, with 17,342 calls to the Ageing and Disability Abuse Helpline (24% increase), and 4,806 statutory reports (13% increase). 

The reports commonly involved more than one type of alleged abuse of the older person or adult with disability. Most often, reports involved alleged psychological abuse, financial abuse and/or neglect by individuals trusted by the adult – primarily relatives and intimate partners. 

Most of the reports were finalised by the Helpline providing information, advice and making referrals for assistance. However, an increased proportion of reports involved further actions by the ADC, including inquiries, case coordination and investigations. In 2023-24, 973 reports involved further actions, an increase of 26% on the previous year. 

“Over the past year, the ADC has seen an increasing proportion of reports involving higher risk, including allegations of severe neglect, high risk domestic and family violence, and current or imminent homelessness,” said Acting Commissioner Kathryn McKenzie.

“The matters handled by the ADC highlight the significant impact on older people and adults with disability of abuse, neglect and exploitation in their family, home and community,” said Ms McKenzie. “They also emphasise the importance of continuing collaborative efforts to build awareness and capability in the community to better prevent this abuse.”

During the financial year, the ADC undertook a range of activities to strengthen community capabilities to identify and respond to abuse and to gain action on key systemic issues. This included targeted engagement with retirement villages, increased training and education activities, and provision of input to inform NSW and national actions on coercive control, enduring powers of attorney, and financial abuse.     

In 2023-24, Official Community Visitors (OCVs) conducted 3,376 visits to adults and children in 1,864 visitable services across NSW, comprising disability accommodation, assisted boarding houses and residential out-of-home care services. OCVs raised and monitored 7,053 issues affecting people living in residential care.

“The OCV Annual Report highlights the vital role of OCVs in directly connecting to children and adults in residential care to identify and raise issues affecting them for early and local resolution wherever possible,” Ms McKenzie said. 

The main issues raised with visitable services by OCVs related to the adequacy of support to meet residents’ health care needs and to participate in the community, as well as concerns about the suitability of the accommodation and placement decisions. 

The OCV Annual Report also includes the themes and trends arising from work by OCVs during the year to take a closer look at three key systemic issues affecting people in residential care, including compatibility, preventative health, and access to education and training. 

A copy of the ADC and OCV Annual Reports are available on the ADC website.