Advocate

Council on the Ageing (COTA Victoria) is the leading not-for-profit organisation representing the interests and rights of people aged over 50 in Victoria. For nearly 70 years in Victoria, we have led government, corporate and community thinking about the positive aspects of ageing.

COTA Victoria’s strategic and operational focus is on promoting older age as a time of opportunities for personal growth, contribution and self-expression. We believe there are obvious National, State, community, family and individual benefits from this approach.

Seniors Rights Victoria (SRV) provides leadership across Victoria by preventing and responding to older people experiencing abuse. Elder abuse is any act which causes harm to an older person, carried out by someone they and trust such as family or friends.  Elder abuse may be physical, sexual, financial, psychological or social abuse, or neglect.  SRV’s services to older people experiencing abuse include a Helpline, specialist legal services, short term support and advocacy, and community education.  In addition, SRV has broader policy, systemic advocacy, law reform and capacity building roles both in Victoria and nationally in order to raise awareness of elder abuse and promote prevention.