The Interagency protocol for responding to the abuse of older people 2007 (PDF) provides a framework for agencies when responding to the abuse of older people. It promotes a coordinated response to the abuse of older people living in community settings and gives workers and volunteers the tools to identify and respond quickly to suspected incidents of abuse. These can include:

• neglect
• physical
• sexual
• psychological or
• financial abuse.

Reporting abuse

Any incident of harm to an elderly person in our community is of great concern.

All serious crimes, whether committed in the home, community or in residential aged care, should be reported to the NSW Police Force for investigation and appropriate action.

Section five of the Interagency protocol for responding to the abuse of older people provides help and contacts for workers when the abuse of an older person is:

• alleged
• disclosed
• witnessed or
• suspected.