Page 2045 - Week 06 - Thursday, 8 June 2006
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Housing ACT does not engage legal advice or services on behalf of tenants, but does suggest that tenants make contact with the Welfare Rights and Legal Centre if they require legal advice or representation.
Seniors—elder abuse
(Question No 1052)
Mr Smyth asked the Minister for Disability and Community Services, upon notice, on 2 May 2006:
(1) How many calls has the Elder Abuse Information Line received each financial year since its inception;
(2) If there is a report of elder abuse to this information line where is the caller then referred to make an official complaint;
(3) Does the Government have a current figure on the level of elder abuse in the ACT;
(4) What is the aim and purpose of the Elder Abuse Prevention Project, when did it commence and what is the Government doing to monitor the success of the Project;
(5) What is the Government doing to (a) reduce the incidence of elder abuse and (b) assist victims of elder abuse.
Ms Gallagher: The answer to the member’s question is as follows:
(1) The Elder Abuse Information Line call statistics are as follows:
October 2004 – December 2004 – 15
January 2005 – December 2005 – 100
January 2006 – February 2006 - 13
(2) Referrals are made to appropriate community or Government agencies, or if there is suspicion of criminal activity, to the AFP.
(3) There are no consolidated records of elder abuse.
(4) An Elder Abuse Prevention Project was funded in 2003/04 to provide a multifaceted approach to addressing elder abuse in the ACT. Individual components of the project, such contracts with community organisations, have evaluation processes built into them. The Ministerial Advisory Council on Ageing has a role in oversighting the implementation of the project as a whole.
(5) The Government has implemented the following initiatives:
• An Elder Abuse Information Phone Line;
• Community awareness and education programs;
• A Training Manual and Information Kit; and
• A Media awareness campaign.
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