The Albanese and Minns Labor Governments have launched a new initiative to make New South Wales safer for older women by improving supports for those who have experienced sexual violence. This initiative, developed with over $500,000 in funding from the Sexual Violence Project Fund, includes a comprehensive package of training and resources created by the Older Women’s Network NSW. The package features four awareness-raising videos, tools, guides, and other materials to help specialist sexual assault services respond effectively to reports of abuse.
Data from the 2021-22 Personal Safety Survey by the Australian Bureau of Statistics estimates that 3.2% of women over 65 experienced sexual harassment in the past year, while 0.5% of women over 55 experienced sexual violence in the last two years. Sexual violence is often under-reported due to shame, fear, or guilt, and older women face additional barriers such as ageism, which can position them as asexual or less credible, often minimising disclosures. The “Hear Our Voices” initiative addresses these challenges by providing tailored resources to support reporting.
The initiative includes a report documenting key barriers to help-seeking, a ‘body mapping’ gallery of experiences, practitioner fact sheets, an audit and planning tool, and guides for frontline services, trainers, and facilitators. These resources were co-designed with older women, ensuring a trauma-informed approach that centers survivor voices. The training package is accessible to all service providers through the Older Women’s Network NSW website.
The $10 million Sexual Violence Project Fund, jointly funded by the Commonwealth and NSW Governments, supports early intervention and response projects addressing sexual violence. It forms part of a broader government effort, including funding for the NSW Sexual Violence Helpline and the NSW Ageing and Disability Commission. Federal Assistant Minister Ged Kearney highlighted that older women face unique barriers to accessing support and that this funding provides specialised, trauma-informed care tailored to their needs.
NSW Minister for Seniors Jodie Harrison emphasized that early intervention is critical to reducing the prevalence of sexual violence and improving responses. She praised the Older Women’s Network project for raising community awareness of elder sexual abuse and equipping frontline services to respond effectively. CEO Yumi Lee noted that the project sends a clear message that older women’s experiences of sexual violence are acknowledged and that appropriate support systems are being built to respond to both historical and recent assaults.
Immediate support for those in danger or experiencing sexual violence is available through the Police (Triple Zero / 000), the 24/7 Sexual Violence Helpline (1800 FULLSTOP), and the NSW Ageing and Disability Commission for elder abuse.
