Reports of physical assaults and violent sexual attacks in Victoria’s aged-care centres have soared in recent years, with almost three cases a day across the state. More than 1000 assaults were reported in aged care in the past financial year, a rise of almost two-thirds in six years. They included 882 serious physical assaults, 147 sexual assaults and seven violent sexual attacks. Documents obtained under Freedom of Information laws set out the areas in the state with the worst records. Aged-care centres in and near Camberwell, Dandenong, Epping, Glenroy, Oak Park, Hadfield and Avondale Heights experienced the highest number of reported assaults in recent years. Across the country, there were 4013 reported assaults on aged-care residents. The shocking number of cases of abuse and neglect has prompted the federal government to establish a royal commission into the sector. “The safety of aged-care residents is paramount,” said Aged Care Minister Ken Wyatt. “The changes detailed in the FOI report further confirm our commitment to a royal commission. “As the Prime Minister has said, if you want to deal with a problem you have to be fair dinkum about understanding the full extent of it. That is the point of holding a royal commission. It is not to pre-determine outcomes.”
