To mark World Elder Abuse Awareness Day on 15 June 2025, the Independent Domestic Abuse Service (IDAS) has highlighted the issue of abuse against older people. The charity says that older people may be more likely to suffer abuse from an adult child than young people; economic abuse is also more prevalent among older people.

Among the over 65s referred to IDAS for support, men accounted for 23 % of referrals, which is higher than the percentage for male referrals of any age. 44 % of male victims were abused by an adult son. Nearly 26 % of female victims were abused by an adult son. The majority of female victims are more likely to be abused by a male intimate partner. The majority of perpetrators were males, and the majority of victims were females.

Did you know that domestic abuse injunctions (non-molestation and occupation orders) in the Family Court are not just limited to married or cohabiting couples?

These family law injunctions can be made against most family members including:

  • the father, mother, step-father, step-mother, son, daughter, step-son, step-daughter, grandmother, grandfather, grandson or granddaughter of that person or of that person’s spouse, former spouse, civil partner or former civil partner, or
  • the brother, sister, uncle, aunt, niece or nephew or first cousin (whether of the full blood or of the half blood or by marriage or civil partnership) of that person or of that person’s spouse, former spouse, civil partner or former civil partner
  • and, in relation to a person who is cohabiting or has cohabited with another person, any person who would fall within either sub-paragraph above if the parties were married to each other or were civil partners of each other.

For more information, click here. For an article on the issue published by BBC, click here.

Our specialist family lawyers can review your specific circumstances, and we recommend obtaining advice at the earliest opportunity.  We offer a free exploratory call so that we can match your specific needs with the right person in our family team.  For more information or to arrange an appointment with a member of our Family Team, please contact us on 01206 764477. The team can offer advice at one of our offices in Colchester, Chelmsford,  Frinton-on-Sea, Ipswich or Bury St Edmunds, or by telephone or video appointment. We are also pleased to be able to support Blue Light members and offer a discount on our initial fixed fee meeting.