Metadata for Elder Abuse Helpline and Resource Unit Dashboard 2017-18
Find out more about the data set in each dashboard, such as the title, description, data filters, data limitations, data source, etc.
Calls to the Helpline
- Number of calls to the Helpline
- Reason for call
- Abuse types included in calls
Measure – Number of calls to the Helpline
Description
This refers to the total number of calls made to the NSW Elder Abuse Helpline and Resource Unit (EAHRU) in the reporting period.
EAHRU was established as part of the NSW Ageing Strategy to help intervene and prevent incidences of the abuse of older people. It offers a free service that provides information, support and referrals relating to the abuse of older people living in the community across NSW. The Helpline places the safety of the older person first. Its service is confidential and callers remain anonymous.
Publisher
Department of Communities and Justice
Numerator
Not applicable
Denominator
Not applicable
Data Filters
- Financial Year
Data Limitations
Not applicable
Data Source
EAHRU data extracts
Measure – Reason for call
Description
This refers to the total number of reasons for callers to contact the Elder Abuse Helpline in the reporting period. A call to the Helpline is categorised into Abuse, Information and Not Stated.
The determination of an abuse call is based on the response of a caller for the ‘Alleged [type] abuse?’ question. For a call with the ‘Yes’ response, this call is then regarded as the abuse call.
The Helpline responds to calls of alleged abuse towards older people by ensuring an experienced consultant takes the time to comprehensively understand the caller’s concerns and the needs and wishes of the older person. The consultant will then develop an appropriate action plan, including making referrals to appropriate agencies. Consultants also provide real-world practical advice to the caller such as demystifying some of the issues and/or options relating to older persons (e.g., Powers of Attorney, Guardianship, legal support services, community service structure, etc.).
Consultants also provide information and clarification on the NSW Interagency Policy to relevant service-sector callers.
Publisher
Department of Communities and Justice
Numerator
Not applicable
Denominator
Not applicable
Data Filters
- Financial Year
Data Limitations
Not applicable
Measure – Abuse types included in calls
Description
The numbers refer to the total number of each Psychological, Financial, Physical, Neglect and Sexual abuse type reported to the Elder Abuse Helpline in the reporting period.
The percentage figures refer to the total number of Psychological, Financial, Physical, Neglect and Sexual abuse type reported to the Elder Abuse Helpline in the reporting period as a percentage of the total number of calls to the Helpline in the reporting period.
As a call can involve more than one abuse type, the percentage total is greater than 100%.
An older person is considered to face alleged abuse when the person encounters any of the following.
Psychological abuse
- Someone threatening to hurt you or damage your belongings
- Being intimidated, humiliated or harassed
- Being threatened with eviction or moving to a nursing home
- Being stopped from seeing your family or friends or attending regular activities
- Being denied the right to make your own decisions
- Being treated like a child
Financial abuse
- Your pension skimmed or money taken from your bank account
- Your belongings sold without permission
- Your money or property taken improperly through the misuse of an Enduring Power of Attorney
- Being forced to change your Will
- Being denied access to, or control of your own funds
Neglect
- Not allowed to access the services you need
- Not having your physical, medical or emotional needs met
Physical abuse
- Slapping, hitting, pushing, shaking, shoving or restraining
- Inappropriate physical or chemical restraints
- Harm created by over- or under-medicating
Sexual abuse
- Someone making unwanted sexual approaches or behaving indecently towards you
- No consent, or consent given by using force or threats
Publisher
Department of Communities and Justice
Numerator
The total number of Psychological, Financial, Physical, Neglect and Sexual abuse type reported to the Elder Abuse Helpline in the reporting period.
Denominator
The total number of calls to the Helpline in the reporting period.
Data Filters
- Financial Year
Data Limitations
Not applicable
Data Source
EAHRU data extracts
Abuse can affect any older person
- Gender of older person
- Culturally and linguistically diverse background of older person
- Gender and age of older person in calls
Measure – Gender of older person
Description
The numbers refer to the total number of alleged abuse calls associated with Female/Male older people in the reporting period.
The percentage figures refer to the total number of alleged abuse calls associated with Female/Male older people in the reporting period as a percentage of the total number of alleged abuse calls in the reporting period.
Publisher
Department of Communities and Justice
Numerator
The total number of alleged abuse calls associated with Female/Male/Other older people in the reporting period.
Denominator
The total number of alleged abuse calls in the reporting period.
Data Filters
- Financial Year
- Gender
Data Limitations
Not applicable
Data Source
EAHRU data extracts
Measure – Culturally and linguistically diverse background of older person
Description
The numbers refer to the total number of alleged abuse calls associated with older people from culturally and linguistically diverse background in the reporting period.
The percentage figures refer to the total number of alleged abuse calls associated with older people from culturally and linguistically diverse background in the reporting period as a percentage of the total number of alleged abuse calls in the reporting period.
The determination of an older person’s cultural and linguistic background is based on the response of a caller for the ‘Older Person’s Special Needs Group’ question. For a call with the ‘Yes’ response, this call is then regarded as the call about older people from culturally and linguistically diverse background.
Publisher
Department of Communities and Justice
Numerator
The total number of alleged abuse calls associated with older people from culturally and linguistically diverse background in the reporting period.
Denominator
The total number of alleged abuse calls in the reporting period.
Data Filters
- Financial Year
Data Limitations
Not applicable
Data Source
EAHRU data extracts
Measure – Gender and age of older person in calls
Description
The numbers refer to the total number of alleged abuse calls associated with Female/Male older people under the 45-54, 55-64, 65-74, 75-84, 85-94, or 95+ age group in the reporting period.
The percentage figures refer to the total number of alleged abuse calls associated with Female/Male older people under the 45-54, 55-64, 65-74, 75-84, 85-94, or 95+ age group in the reporting period as a percentage of the total number of alleged abuse calls associated with Female/Male older people in the reporting period.
Publisher
Department of Communities and Justice
Numerator
The total number of alleged abuse calls associated with Female/Male older people under the 45-54, 55-64, 65-74, 75-84, 85-94, or 95+ age group in the reporting period.
Denominator
The total number of alleged abuse calls associated with Female/Male older people in the reporting period.
Data Filters
- Financial Year
- Gender
- Age Group
Data Limitations
Not applicable
Data Source
EAHRU data extracts
Who calls the Helpline
- People who made a call to the Helpline
Measure – People who made a call to the Helpline
Description
The numbers refer to the total number of alleged abuse calls reported by Family members, Older person experiencing abuse, Service Provider or Concerned Other to the Helpline in the reporting period.
The percentage figures refer to the total number of alleged abuse calls reported by Family members, Older person experiencing abuse, Service Provider or Concerned Other to the Helpline in the reporting period as a percentage of the total number of alleged abuse calls reported to the Helpline in the reporting period.
Publisher
Department of Communities and Justice
Numerator
The total number of alleged abuse calls reported by Family members, Older person experiencing abuse, Service Provider or Concerned Other to the Helpline in the reporting period.
Denominator
The total number of alleged abuse calls reported to the Helpline in the reporting period.
Data Filters
- Financial Year
Data Limitations
Not applicable
Data Source
EAHRU data extracts
Who are the alleged perpetrators?
- Relationship of suspected abuser to older person
Measure – Relationship of suspected abuser to older person
Description
The numbers refer to the total number of Family members or Non-family members who were reported as suspected abuser to older people in the reporting period.
The percentage figures refer to the total number of Family members or Non-family members who were reported as suspected abuser to older people in the reporting period as a percentage of the total number of alleged abuse calls reported to the Helpline in the reporting period.
Family members include:
- Daughter
- Daughter-in-law
- Grandchild
- Other relative
- Sibling
- Son
- Son-in-law
- Spouse/Partner
Non-family members include:
- Friend
- Informal carer
- Neighbour
- No trust relationship
- Other
- Paid worker
- Worker
Publisher
Department of Communities and Justice
Numerator
The total number of Family members or Non-family members who were reported as suspected abuser to older people in the reporting period.
Denominator
The total number of alleged abuse calls reported to the Helpline in the reporting period.
Data Filters
- Financial Year
- Relationship to older people
Data Limitations
Not applicable
Data Source
EAHRU data extracts
More education to prevent the abuse of older people
- Information sessions
- Educating professionals who work with older people
- 5-step toolkit downloads
- Awareness and prevention presentations
- How did callers hear about the Helpline?
Measure – Information sessions
Description
The Yellow bars chart refers to the total number of community information sessions held by the Helpline to raise the awareness of abuse to older people across NSW in the reporting period.
The Green bars chart refers to the total number of people who attended the community information sessions held by the Helpline to raise the awareness of abuse to older people across NSW in the reporting period.
In 2017-18, the ‘community events and expos’ category was reported in the count of the community information sessions. This prevention work enables ERHRU to participate community activities to reach more community members and to raise the awareness of alleged abuse.
Publisher
Department of Communities and Justice
Numerator
Not applicable
Denominator
Not applicable
Data Filters
- Financial Year
Data Limitations
Not applicable
Data Source
EAHRU data extracts
Measure – Educating professionals who work with older people
Description
The Yellow bars chart refers to the total number of training sessions held by the Helpline to educate professionals who work with older people across NSW in the reporting period.
The Green bars chart refers to the total number of professionals who attended the training sessions held by the Helpline across NSW in the reporting period.
Professionals who work with older people include: nurses, geriatricians, social workers, police and community care service advisors and managers, in-home care service providers, financial service information officers, multicultural aged-care services and bilingual educators.
Publisher
Department of Communities and Justice
Numerator
Not applicable
Denominator
Not applicable
Data Filters
- Financial Year
Data Limitations
Not applicable
Data Source
EAHRU data extracts
Measure – 5-step toolkit downloads
Description
This refers to the total number of the Helpline’s 5-step toolkit downloads in the reporting period.
The toolkit is a resource for all agencies that work with and provide services to older people who may be at risk of or are experiencing abuse in NSW. It supports a consistent approach to identifying, responding and preventing the abuse of older people.
Each of the 5 steps has practical information and tools which guide staff from elder abuse identification through to response.
Publisher
Department of Communities and Justice
Numerator
Not applicable
Denominator
Not applicable
Data Filters
Not applicable
Data Limitations
Not applicable
Data Source
EAHRU data extracts
Measure – Awareness and prevention presentations
Description
This refers to the total number of awareness and prevention presentations delivered by the Helpline in the reporting period.
Work relating to awareness and prevention presentations targets at professionals who work with older people in NSW and aims to raise the awareness of alleged abuse to older people. It is not a training session.
Publisher
Department of Communities and Justice
Numerator
Not applicable
Denominator
Not applicable
Data Filters
- Financial Year
Data Limitations
Not applicable
Data Source
EAHRU data extracts
Measure – How did callers hear about the Helpline?
Description
This refers to the total number of the callers’ response to the question of ‘Where or how did caller hear about EAHRU?’ in the reporting period.
Some granular data have been grouped as follows.
- Organisation: government, community organisations and service providers;
- Advertising: radio, television, brochures, newspaper articles or other print advertising;
- EAHRU website and resources: EAHRU website and other EAHRU collateral websites;
- Employment: colleagues and place of employment;
- Word of mouth: friends, family, neighbours and others;
- Education and events: awareness raising and education activities involving the EAHRU (e.g.: presentations, talk and forums); and
- Not stated: Not asked, Unknown/Not disclosed and Unknown/Not disclosed (with the question being asked).
Publisher
Department of Communities and Justice
Numerator
Not applicable
Denominator
Not applicable
Data Filters
- Financial Year
Data Limitations
Not applicable
Data Source
EAHRU data extracts