Older women face dual risk of domestic violence

A recent article in The Guardian has highlighted a concerning trend: older women are increasingly victims of domestic and family violence homicides. This growing crisis is not limited to intimate partner violence - many older women are also experiencing abuse from adult children and other relatives. 

Over 65% of reports to the NSW Ageing and Disability Commission concern older women, demonstrating the scale of the crisis. Many of these women remain trapped in abusive situations because they lack safe, affordable housing alternatives. 

The National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2022–2032 identifies older women as the fastest-growing group of people at risk of homelessness. The inability to secure stable housing forces many to endure coercive control and financial, emotional and even physical abuse from family members. 

Helen Wallace, EAAA Board Member shared these thoughts: “It’s not acceptable that many mistreated and abused older women seeking legal and social support feel trapped through lack of affordable, alternative housing options, and we must not tolerate these devastating circumstances for older women. Nor is it acceptable for older women being forced to live in totally unsafe, precarious shelter. Older women should not have to choose between homelessness and abuse. Yet, without access to safe and affordable housing, many are left with no real choice at all”. 

The 2021 National Elder Abuse Prevalence Study, conducted by the Australian Institute of Family Studies (AIFS), found that one in six older Australians living in the community had experienced abuse, most often at the hands of family members and particularly adult children. The high cost of housing can make older women feel they have no option but to tolerate financial exploitation, emotional manipulation or even physical harm from their children and other relatives. 

In addition, older women with disabilities face further barriers. Many domestic and family violence refuges are inaccessible and aged care support services are not permitted in crisis accommodation. This is forcing some women to stay in unsafe situations simply to receive necessary care. 

The link between housing insecurity and elder abuse cannot be ignored. Without a national strategy that ensures safe, affordable and accessible housing options for older women, the cycle of abuse will continue. 

EAAA calls for urgent action to remove location-driven disadvantage in accessing elder abuse and domestic violence services. No older woman should be left without support simply because of where she lives. Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Commissioner Micaela Cronin has acknowledged that current government family violence services do not adequately meet the needs of older Australians. The failure to address this gap puts lives at risk. 

The escalating abuse of older women demands immediate government intervention. EAAA stands ready to work with government, community organisations and researchers to implement solutions that protect older women from violence and coercion.  

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