Holstep Health proudly leads the Elder Abuse Prevention Network (EAPN) in Victoria’s North and West Metropolitan regions – a partnership of 60+ community organisations and local government agencies dedicated to preventing elder abuse and promoting respect for older people.
Together, EAPN partners work to challenge ageism, address the root causes of abuse, and build the skills and confidence of professionals to respond. The strength of the network lies in our shared knowledge, diverse perspectives, and deep community roots.
“Together, we are shifting the conversations, culture and systems that allow elder abuse to go unnoticed. Our strength is in our collaboration—and the belief that every older person deserves safety, dignity, and a voice.”
Key outcomes over the past year include:
- Sector capacity building: co-developed the Abuse of Older People Response Toolkit with regional family violence services—a practical guide to help professionals in health, aged care, and community respond confidently to elder abuse using trauma-informed, strengths-based approaches.
- Raising awareness: through World Elder Abuse Awareness Day events.
- Empowering older people: through initiatives like a digital literacy pop-up with Lively, supporting older people to build confidence with technology to reduce social isolation.
- Celebrating voices: with grassroots initiatives including Silver Threads and Golden Needles, a powerful project that combats the combined impacts of ageism and gender inequality.
- Equity and access: launched a digital accessibility audit tool to help organisations create more inclusive websites
for older users.
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