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.”

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