We give voice to vulnerable adults by influencing public understanding, legislation, and systemic safeguards to prevent and eliminate abuse in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Our mission is to see all vulnerable adults in Aotearoa New Zealand thrive in an environment free from coercive control abuse, exploitation and neglect.
What we do
Advocate for stronger laws and safeguarding systems.
Give vulnerable adults and carers a national voice.
Ensure equitable access to specialist abuse services.
Increase public awareness and cultural change.
Influence government policy with data and lived experience.
Monitor international policies, laws and frameworks.
How many vulnerable adult abuse cases are there in Aotearoa New Zealand?
Truth is, we don’t know. There’s no organisation tracking or monitoring like SPCA for animals, St Johns for medical, Plunket for babies. There is also no single organisation that provides an integrated, cohesive approach across agencies for supporting vulnerable adult. The best, very broad estimates relate to older persons.
Age Concern reference that 10% of over 65s living in our community experience abuse in the past year.
There are 2,200 cases of elder abuse each year in NZ. It is estimated that 75% of cases of elder abuse go unreported.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) reports that one in six people, 60 years and older, experienced some form of abuse in the past year.
In the USA approximately 10% of adults over 65 suffer one type of abuse each year. Only one in 24 abuse cases are reported.
Latest updates
Tools and information
Draft legislation
Get involved
Be part of the change, partner with us, make a donation, or share your story on social media and tag our website to help amplify the voices of vulnerable adults and ensure they are heard. You can also keep an eye on our vacancies page for any vacancies.
