Informing strategies to prevent abuse, neglect, and exploitation of adults with disability and older people by carers

By Timothy Broady, Catherine Thomson, Ilan Katz, Sarah Judd-Lam

With funding from the Department of Communities and Justice, the NSW Ageing and Disability Commission (ADC) commissioned the Social Policy Research Centre (SPRC) at UNSW, in partnership with Carers NSW, to conduct the ADC Carers Project. 

The aim of the project was to provide the ADC with clear evidence-based findings, recommendations, and advice to inform their work with carers of adults with disability and older people. Specifically, the research was designed to inform the handling of future reports about abuse, neglect and exploitation by the ADC, ways for the ADC and service systems to better support carers, and opportunities for early intervention and prevention strategies. 

This report presents the findings from the analysis of quantitative and qualitative data held by the ADC in relation to reports about alleged abuse, neglect, and exploitation of adults with disability and older people. 

The analyses focused on identifying factors associated with different types of alleged abuse and neglect of older people and adults with disability, as well as factors associated with reported ADC actions, assistance provided, and outcomes for older people and adults with disability. 

Initial recommendations are provided based on these findings. 

Sydney: University of New South Wales, Social Policiy Research Centre,  2024. 61p.