A new package of training and resources to improve support for older women who have experienced sexual violence has been officially launched by the Older Women’s Network NSW.
Developed with $500,000 funding from the Sexual Violence Project Fund, the resource package includes four educational videos to raise awareness of sexual violence experienced by older women, and tools and guides to assist specialist sexual assault services respond to reports of abuse.
“For too many older women, sexual violence has been carried alone, dismissed because of their age, doubted because of stereotypes, or shamed into silence,” said CEO Older Women’s Network NSW, Yumi Lee.
“This project says clearly and publicly: we hear you, we believe you, and we are building systems that will respond properly.
“I encourage all services to access these resources so older women can be better seen, heard and supported as they navigate their journey following sexual assaults, whether perpetrated in the distant past or now.”
The 2021-22 Personal Safety Survey by the Australian Bureau of Statistics estimated that 3.2% of women over 65 years had experienced sexual harassment in the last 12 months, and 0.5% of those over 55 had experienced sexual violence in the last two years.
Sexual violence is often under-reported usually due to shame, fear, or guilt. Older women face similar barriers, as well as those related to ageism, positioning them as asexual, less credible and less valuable, creating a context in which disclosures are minimised or never made.
The NSW Government says the ‘Hear Our Voice’ initiative challenges this, and includes resources to support reporting:
- A report documenting key themes and barriers to help-seeking
- A ‘body mapping’ gallery documenting older women’s experiences of sexual violence, disclosure, healing and resilience
- Practitioner fact sheets
- An audit and planning tool
- Guides for frontline services and specialist workers
- Guide for trainers, educators and facilitators to deliver training safely and effectively.
The resources and training package were co-designed with older women, putting victim-survivor voices at the centre and ensuring a trauma-informed approach that is responsive to the needs of older women.
“Sexual violence has a devastating impact on victim-survivors and those around them. Early intervention is critical to reducing the prevalence of sexual violence and improving responses,” said NSW Minister for Seniors and the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault, Jodie Harrison.
“The Older Women’s Network project will close a gap in raising awareness in our community about elder sexual abuse, as well as making sure that frontline services are in a position to respond in a trauma-informed way.
“Thank you to the Older Women’s Network for its thorough approach to addressing this issue with the ‘Hear our Voices’ project.”
The $10 million Sexual Violence Project Fund is jointly funded by the Commonwealth and NSW Governments for one-off, time-limited early intervention and response projects that address sexual violence.
The training package is available to all service providers at: https://voices.ownnsw.org.au/.
Support:
If you or someone you know are in immediate danger, call the Police on Triple Zero / 000.
If you or someone you know is experiencing sexual violence, call the 1800 FULLSTOP for free counselling and referrals, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
