- 22
regional organisations to receive up to $3,000 each to mark World Elder
Abuse Awareness Day on 15 June
- Western Australians
urged to
"Wise Up, Rise Up Against Elder Abuse"
- Cook Government
committed to the prevention of elder abuse
Seniors
and Ageing Minister Don Punch today announced the recipients of funding for
regional initiatives that raise awareness of elder abuse on World Elder Abuse
Awareness Day (WEAAD) on 15 June.
Regional
local governments and registered not-for-profit organisations around WA were
invited to apply for grants to hold events and activities between 10 and 30
June to celebrate WEAAD.
Metropolitan
based organisations were also eligible to apply to run in-person activities in
regional areas.
There
are 22 organisations set to receive up to $3,000 each for events across the
Pilbara, Gascoyne, Kimberley, Great Southern, South West, Goldfields, Peel and
Wheatbelt regions.
Events
planned include information workshops, education seminars, morning teas and art
projects to support local people to work together to identify and respond to
elder abuse in their local community.
The
grants program is being funded by the Department of Communities and managed by
the Northern Suburbs Community Legal Centre.
WEAAD
has been officially recognised by the United Nations since 2011 and provides an
opportunity for people around the world to unite in voicing opposition to elder
abuse and the suffering it inflicts upon older people.
The
tagline "Wise Up, Rise Up
Against Elder Abuse" encourages the Western
Australian community to find out more about elder abuse, recognise the signs,
access support, and take action in their own lives and communities to stop it
from happening.
For
more information about WEAAD and events around WA, go to https://www.wa.gov.au/organisation/department-of-communities/world-elder-abuse-awareness-day
Comments attributed to Seniors and Ageing Minister Don Punch:
"Elder abuse and the mistreatment of older people is a significant issue
in our community that has attracted national and local attention, as well as
growing momentum for action.
"It is a complex social, health and human rights issue experienced and
carried out by Western Australians of all backgrounds.
"This grants program is designed to highlight World Elder Abuse
Awareness Day in regional areas and builds on a successful regional grants
program last year.
"Every older Western Australian has a right to feel and be safe. It is
vital that as many people as possible are aware of this significant issue and
how and where to access support and information.
"People seeking support can call the WA Elder Abuse Helpline and
Information Service on 1300 724 679."
2024 World Elder Abuse
Awareness Day Grant recipients
