Liberty CEO Kelly Lamb said there has been a sharp rise in the number of women over 50 accessing domestic and family violence support and crisis accommodation, both nationally and locally.

“As we celebrate the contributions of older Australians during Seniors Week, it is important to recognise the growing number of older women needing support to improve their safety and security,” Mrs Lamb said.

On average in Australia, one woman a week is killed by their current of former partner.

More than 10 percent of these women are aged over 66. Unfortunately older women are also much less likely than younger people to leave abusive relationships or seek help.

“Since mid-2016, 46 women aged 55 and over have accessed Liberty’s domestic violence support and housing services, including 1 woman over 85 years old,” she said.

“Before 2014 we very rarely had single older women staying at the refuge. However, over the past five years we’ve provided crisis accommodation at Galbaan House for 57 older women.

“The stories we hear from older women accessing our services here in the Hastings reflect the challenges that older women face across the country.

“Older women are more likely to believe that violence is normal and that such matters should be kept private.

“Many older women are also unaware that there are support services, like Liberty, available to help them live a life free from violence.”

Mrs Lamb said domestic violence isn’t always physical. It can include less visible forms of abuse such as verbal, psychological, emotional, financial or spiritual abuse.

Domestic violence in older people can also have more severe consequences due to increased health risks, frailty, caring responsibilities, financial and housing situations. 

Generational attitudes can mean that people may have been living with abuse for decades without knowing it as abuse.

In other cases, the abuse begins later in life as family dynamics change.

“We need to challenge these norms. No one should live in fear, whatever their age,” Mrs Lamb said.

“Often these women find it difficult to leave an unsafe relationship as they fear the impacts on their family, are reluctant to leave their home, and are often financially dependent on the abuser.

“Lower superannuation, unequal pay, time out of the workforce to raise children and the high cost of housing all contribute to many women in this age bracket feeling like they don’t have the funds to make a fresh start.

“They may also have limited ability to access financial support due to being asset rich but cash poor.

“For those who do take the steps to leave the unsafe relationship, many then experience homelessness for the first time in their 60s and 70s.”

Mrs Lamb said for women of any age to seek out help it can be hard but there is an added degree of difficulty for older women.

“We know it’s difficult for anyone to enter a refuge for the first time, particularly older women, so we have single rooms and quiet spaces to make it easier, and can explore alternate accommodation options.

“We also work with women who may not need crisis accommodation, but need help to navigate all the various support services available to them.”

While you're with us, you can now receive updates straight to your inbox from the Port Macquarie News. To make sure you're up to date with all the news, SIGN UP HERE.