About this project
This project investigates how migration intersects with older adult abuse to shape the risks, impacts and acuity of abuse experienced by older migrants living in Australia. Using sociological qualitative methods, the project will generate empirical evidence and theoretical insights into how abuse is affected by migration policy, cultural factors and transnational family dynamics. It will contribute new knowledge about the lives of vulnerable older adults at risk of harm, and the community and service supports they need to age safely and well.
The project contributes to the Australian Science and Research Priority of supporting healthy and thriving communities by raising awareness of older adult abuse in increasingly diverse Australian communities. It will provide a strong evidence base for practical approaches to prevention, response and support, and deliver policy recommendations to inform state, national and international efforts, including the implementation of the National Plan to End the Abuse and Mistreatment of Older Adults 2024–2034. The project will also develop resources to support community members and professionals working across relevant sectors.
Core concepts:
Migration policies
Complex and restrictive visa systems can disrupt social networks, limit access to essential services, and deplete the financial, social, and emotional resources of migrants.
Transnational dynamics
i) The mobility of older migrants and their reliance on distant social supports
ii) The management of transnational assets
iii) Older migrants’ use of homeland and diasporic sources of information.
Culture and language
Culturally specific norms and practices affect how abuse and mistreatment of older people is understood, and the ways in which older people disclose and resolve problems, seek help, and respond to service interventions.