Age Concern England and Action on Elder Abuse have launched a consultation on setting up a survivors network for older people who have been abused.
Action on Elder Abuse chief executive Gary FitzGerald said providing a voice for survivors "could not be more timely or warranted" given current government policy initiatives, such as the review of the No Secrets adult protection guidance and the dignity in care campaign.
The two charities were funded by Comic Relief for two years in 2007 to help set up a network, and the consultation paper draws on a year's research on what a survivors' network should look like, based on the views of older people and professionals.
Current support limited
It says "the small number of specific projects helping the survivors to cope with the consequences of abuse have been geographically limited and often struggled to get funds".
The paper says any network must be user-directed, culturally inclusive, open to the possibility of campaigning, flexible enough to accommodate people at different stages and able to provide enduring support and point people in the direction of practical help.
It suggests four models - unfacilitated self-help groups, groups supported by a trained professional, virtual groups and one-to-one support - though admits none fully fits the requirements laid out by survivors.
Email Rachael Kenny at rkenny@elderabuse.org.uk with your views.
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More information
Action on Elder Abuse
Age Concern England
Comic Relief elder abuse project