About the Elder Abuse Prevention Unit
The Elder Abuse Prevention Unit (EAPU) promotes the right of older people to live free from abuse.
The Elder Abuse Prevention Unit (EAPU) was established in 1997 following the release of "A Report of the Project on Abuse of Older People" (1994) commissioned by the then Department of Family Services and Aboriginal and Islander Affairs. The unit is funded by the Department of Communities to provide a state-wide service to respond to the abuse of older people in Queensland and operates under Lifeline Brisbane.
Goals
The goals of the EAPU are to enhance the quality of life and safety of older people in Queensland by ensuring that:
- Older people are aware of how to prevent elder abuse
- Older people who are abused have access to information and assistance
- Older people have access to services with fully developed inter-agency networks providing a coordinated response
- Staff in community organisations providing services to older people have the knowledge and skills to assist them
- Current and proposed legislation address the issue of elder abuse
- Older people and organisations are empowered by having access to decision-making processes.
Elder Abuse
The EAPU responds to abuse that occurs within a relationship of trust. The types of abuse can include physical, sexual, financial, psychological (emotional or verbal), social and or neglect (intentional and unintentional). Criminal acts by a stranger, self-neglect, or where abuse occurs within a paid service arrangement are not generally considered to be within the scope of this service. (More Info on Elder Abuse)
Staff and Resources
EAPU Project Officers provide a flexible service delivery model via travel throughout Queensland. Resources may include training manuals, brochures, Helpline cards, and Information Sheets. The EAPU website also provides a range of information and links to other relevant sites. EAPU have a number of reference groups around the state who guide and inform the work of the unit. Material developed by the unit strives to be inclusive of Indigenous and linguistically diverse communities. EAPU provides brochures in 14 different languages. (Resource area)
Services
Helpline: The EAPU operates a state-wide telephone information, support and referral service for anyone experiencing abuse or witnessing the abuse of an older person. Callers may choose to remain anonymous and can call HELPLINE on 1300 651 192 between 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday for the cost of a local call from any landline in Queensland.
Community Awareness: The unit also undertakes to raise awareness of elder abuse in the general community. Awareness-raising activities include presentations to older people's groups, and participation in forums. All presentations include techniques that older people can employ to prevent elder abuse occuring in their lives.
Staff Training and Education: The unit assists staff of organisations that provide services to older people to recognise elder abuse and understand appropriate interventions. EAPU also delivers lectures to University and TAFE students. (EAPU Training Calendar)
Peer Support Network: The EAPU provides a state-wide Multidisciplinary Peer Support Network to assist, resource and support workers in rural and remote locations to respond to elder abuse. The Peer Support Network operates via teleconferencing, newsletters and additional written communication. (More Information)
Other initiatives include:
- Policy development workshops to assist services to develop protocols for responding to elder abuse
- Assisting and supporting the development of community responses via provision of resources
- Monitoring current elder abuse literature and research
- Elder abuse data collection
- Legislation and policy input across all levels of goverment
What we don't do
- Investigate cases of elder abuse
- Case manage elder abuse situations
EAPU Client Services Charter (pdf)