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PROJECT HISTORY
The West Moreton Taskforce for the Prevention of Elder Abuse was formed in 1998 following the identification of elder abuse as an emerging community issue. Over the years the Taskforce has worked broadly around the issue of elder abuse whilst maintaining the goal of enhancing understanding of elder abuse at a local level.
In 2003, the Taskforce was successful in receiving funding through the Department of Communities Social Participation Project. This funding supported community forums in Boonah, Rosewood, Laidley, Esk, and Goodna/Gailes, which gauged local commitment for a community response to local issues.
In 2004, part of the funding provided by the Social Participation Project was utilized by the University of Queensland Boilerhouse Community Engagement Centre to undertake research on behalf of the Taskforce. The results of this research formed the basis for phase one of the Elder Abuse Prevention Project which received funding through the Department of Communities “Building Links” funding initiative in 2005-2006.
In 2006, the elder abuse prevention project was auspiced by Ipswich Community Aid Incorporated, with funding provided for a project worker dedicated to the implementation of project goals. In the past, the taskforce primarily worked unfunded so the provision of the Department of Communities “Building Links” funding ensured that concepts that were developed in past years could now be put into place. The aim of the Elder Abuse Prevention project would support the development of greater interagency collaboration and community awareness around the issue of elder abuse and enhance service providers’ responses to older people who experience abuse, or are at risk of abuse.
Towards the end of 2006, as part of the project’s goals, a survey was sent out to over 150 service providers through out the Shires of Esk, Laidley, Boonah and Ipswich. This survey was developed to update research previously undertaken by the West Moreton Taskforce for the Prevention of Elder Abuse. The results of the survey indicated that 61% of service providers encountered cases of elder abuse in the last twelve months. This figure suggested that the issue of elder abuse still remained a significant concern in the Ipswich/West Moreton region. In addition, survey results also indicated that despite the significant number of service providers encountering cases of elder abuse, very few organizations had protocols and procedures in place for responding to suspected cases.
This West Moreton Elder Abuse Prevention Service Directory has been developed to assist both older people and service providers in the West Moreton region to access appropriate services when responding to suspected cases of elder abuse. If you would like a hard copy of the Directory and referral pathway please contact Ipswich Community Aid on (07)3812 3437.
WEST MORETON ELDER ABUSE PREVENTION SERVICE DIRECTORY AND REFERRAL PATHWAY
ELDER ABUSE RESOURCES & LINKS
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