Media release – COTA Tasmania (Council on the Ageing), 4 June 2024
Tasmanians take a stand to respect older people
COTA Tasmania (Council on the Ageing) is intensifying efforts to raise awareness of elder abuse and promote lifelong respect of older people in our communities.
As part of its annual Walk Against Elder Abuse Day (WEAAD) next month, COTA Tasmania has organised walks in Hobart, Launceston, and Burnie, and long table community lunches in St Marys and Rosebery.
It has also launched a Wear Purple Campaign to encourage Tasmanians to use the colour purple to show support for older people. The United Nations World Elder Abuse Awareness Day uses purple which represents compassion, dignity, and respect for seniors.
The Wear Purple Campaign will complement other events by providing an alternative way to participate. Whether it’s setting up a purple window display in a business, hosting a community fashion parade, baking purple cupcakes, planting purple flowers, or simply wearing purple, everyone can show their support in the week leading up to World Elder Abuse Awareness Day on June 15.
Elder abuse may involve physical or sexual abuse, taking an older person’s money or possessions, neglecting them, making threats or stopping their social contacts.
“Each year, one in six older people experience abuse, said COTA Tasmania CEO Brigid Wilkinson. “Elder abuse is a serious issue in our community, and we need more Tasmanians looking out for and respecting older people wherever they are in our State,”.
Older people have the right to live with dignity and safety, just like people of every other age and COTA encourages all Tasmanians to learn about elder abuse and look out for people in their community.
“The planned community and business activities will highlight the issues of ageism and elder abuse, to help reassure older people in our communities they are not alone,” Brigid Wilkinson said.
“In support of this campaign, prominent landmarks, including the Tasman Bridge and the Launceston Town Hall, will be lit up in purple during the week of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, signalling a shift in how we support and respect our older community members.”
Older Voices for Change Advocates will be speaking at a variety of events and activities as part of the lifelong respect campaign. In a collaboration with COTA Tasmania and Engender Equality the advocates have been supported and trained as victim-survivors of elder abuse tell their story with the goal of helping others tell their story.
Speaking about elder abuse and awareness, Older Voices for Change advocate Francene said that getting people to see they were in an abusive relationship was difficult.
“Education is so important and is the key to helping older people understand that what is happening to them is not right and they have the support to do something about it,” Francene said.
COTA’s activities this June follow a webinar held in May which explored the impacts of elder abuse and provided information on services available across the state.
Anyone who is experiencing elder abuse or is concerned about an older person can ring the Tasmanian Elder Abuse Helpline on 1800 441 169 for free, confidential and sensitive information and referrals.
Older Voices for Change Advocates will be present at the Hobart and Launceston walks.
How people can get involved
Take part in one of the Walks Against Elder Abuse – Friday, 14 June
Hobart: 10am
Starting at the Elizabeth Street Mall, the walk makes its way around the CBD ending at Mathers House where there will be refreshments, a forum, and a series of speeches.
Launceston: 12.30pm Civic Square
The walk starts at Launceston’s Civic Square and ends at Town Hall where there will be light refreshments, and a series of speeches.
Burnie: 10am Wilmot Street
The walk starts at Wilmot Street footpath outside the Marine Terrace car park, opposite the cinemas.
Take part in one of the long table lunches
Rosebery : 12pm – 2pm Thursday, 6 June Rosebery Hall
The West Coast Council and Rosebery Neighbourhood House have partnered with COTA to put on a lunch for the community at the Rosebery Hall.
St Marys: 12pm – 2 pm Wednesday 12 June Town Hall, Main St. St Marys
The Break O’Day Council and the Fingal Valley Neighbourhood House have partnered with COTA to put on a lunch for the community at the St Marys Town Hall.
Bookings
Email: [email protected].
Break O’Day Council on 6376 7900
Statewide
Lifelong Respect Wear Purple Campaign June 10 – 15
Show your support by hosting or attending one or more activities in your community. We especially ask that you think about how you can involve a diversity of people, of all ages and abilities. It should be something that is easy and fun to do, simple, no or low cost, and/or fits in with your organisation business plans.
Purple on Parliament Lawns, Saturday 15 June Hobart 9-12pm
Come and meet the COTA Tasmania team as well as other services that offer support in relation to elder abuse and grab a purple scarf!
Visit the COTA webpage to register for an event and to find out more. www.cotatas.org.au
