World Elder Abuse Awareness Day 2026: Moving Beyond Awareness to Prevention

15 June marks World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD), a global campaign that shines a spotlight on the abuse, neglect and exploitation experienced by older people. This year’s theme challenges us to move beyond simply raising awareness and focus on preventing abuse before it happens.

The statistics are sobering. Around 1 in 6 people aged 60 and over experience some form of abuse each year. In the UK, this equates to hundreds of thousands of older people, many of whom will never report what is happening, never access support, and continue to live in fear and isolation.

When people think about abuse in later life, they often picture poor care provision or safeguarding concerns within residential settings. While these issues are important, they only tell part of the story.

Domestic Abuse Doesn't End with Age

Domestic abuse can continue into later life and often becomes more complex as people age.

Long-term relationships may involve decades of coercive and controlling behaviour that has become normalised over time. Financial arrangements, shared homes, caring responsibilities and family dynamics can make it difficult for someone to leave or seek help.

Older people may also face abuse from adult children, grandchildren or other relatives. Health conditions, mobility issues and cognitive impairments can be manipulated by perpetrators as tools of control, creating additional barriers to safety and support.

Many older adults grew up in a generation where family matters were kept private and asking for help was discouraged. As a result, abuse can remain hidden for years.

Why This Matters

The introduction of the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 was a significant step forward in recognising coercive and controlling behaviour as abuse and broadening understanding of who can be affected.

However, older survivors remain underrepresented in conversations about domestic abuse. Research suggests that professionals working with older people are less likely to ask direct questions about abuse, and support services are not always designed with older adults in mind.

• Evidence from domestic homicide reviews highlights the seriousness of the issue:
• Around 1 in 4 victims of domestic abuse-related deaths were aged 58 or over.
• Older victims may be killed by a current or former partner, spouse, adult child or other relative.
• Research from the Femicide Census indicates that for many older women, a son can pose a greater risk than a stranger.
• As men age, their risk of experiencing domestic abuse also increases.

There are also many invisible survivors living with long-term physical and mental health conditions linked to abuse experienced earlier in life.

The Role of the VCSE Sector

Voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations are often trusted by older people and may be among the few services they regularly engage with.

Whether through community groups, lunch clubs, befriending services, health projects, faith organisations or social activities, VCSE organisations are uniquely placed to:

• Recognise potential signs of abuse.
• Create safe spaces for conversations.
• Build trusting relationships.
• Signpost people to specialist support.
• Raise awareness among volunteers and staff.
• Challenge age-related assumptions about domestic abuse.

Sometimes prevention starts with a simple conversation and the confidence to ask, "Are you okay?"

Resources and Support

Dewis Choice

Dewis Choice works to improve understanding of domestic abuse in later life and supports professionals to have better conversations with older adults. The organisation will be launching a series of short information films to help practitioners recognise and respond to abuse in later life. Their resource library includes research, guidance and practical toolkits for frontline staff and volunteers.

Hourglass

Hourglass is the UK's only charity dedicated to ending the abuse of older people aged 60 and over.

The charity provides:

• A 24-hour helpline.
• Support for older people experiencing abuse.
• Advice for concerned family members and friends.
• Guidance for professionals working with older adults.

A Call to Action

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day is a reminder that abuse can happen at any age and that older people deserve to live with dignity, safety and respect.

For the VCSE sector, this means moving beyond awareness and taking practical steps to prevent abuse, recognise the signs, and ensure older people know they are not alone.

By listening, asking the right questions and connecting people with support, we can all play a part in creating communities where older people feel safe, valued and heard.