FECCA recently made a submission to the Australian Law Reform Commission’s inquiry into elder abuse, highlighting that a significant number of Australians come from culturally and lingistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds.
While the numbers of elder abuse cases in CALD communities are not much different to the prevalence in the general population, FECCA assumes that for those of migrant backgrounds the issue is exacerbated by issues particular to their communities.
These issues include lack of (or low level of) English language skills, lack of knowledge of services and dependency on family members.
Social and/or physical isolation is common; by controlling finances and denying the abused person access to an interpreter, for instance, and visa status dependency may also be used as a threat.
Meanwhile, there is a value system, not unique to the Greek culture, that often makes it harder for people to seek help, especially for first generation migrants, who find it hard to openly discuss abuse or seek services.
With one in three older Australians born overseas and up to 40 per cent of all migrants from non-English speaking countries aged 50 years and over, FECCA’s submission has raised a number of issues for further consideration.
Australia’s migration law framework, the importance of informed consent, guardianship and power of attorney, aged care services, the NDIS, and the role of health services need to be revisited.