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Inadequate access to telephones in aged care facilities In running a specialist elder abuse service Caxton Legal Centre staff regularly need to telephone clients who reside in residential aged care facilities.  This can be a laborious and even daunting task as there are often multiple hurdles to pass before Caxton staff reach the point of being able to speak to an older person on the phone.   … Continue reading How can you call for help when you don’t have a phone?

  Allen’s birth mother was forced to give her consent to adopt Allen as she was young and unwed at the time of his birth. Allen was then placed in foster care. Despite repeated attempts by his birth mother to regain care of him on he was eventually adopted by a couple. Unfortunately, Allen was subjected to terrible physical and emotional … Continue reading Allen and his mum become a family again

While the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety presents an opportunity to shine a spotlight on some of the systemic issues that contribute to older Australians being mistreated in aged care facilities, the root cause, ageism, is going to be harder to expose and eliminate.     The World Health Organisation offers the following definition of ageism:   “Ageism is … Continue reading Ageism must stop for Royal Commission to achieve its goals

Today’s historic vote to pass the Human Rights Bill is a significant step towards a more just legal system for Queensland.  “Caxton Legal Centre was a key player in the campaign to introduce the Human Rights Act and we congratulate the Queensland Parliament on the vote today,” said Dan Rogers, President of Caxton Legal Centre.  “Vulnerable Queenslanders … Continue reading Queensland Parliament votes to pass Human Rights Bill 

The final report of the Royal Commission into Banking Misconduct recommends that sections of the Banking Code of Practice be made into law.  A key chapter of the Code of Practice relevant to Caxton Legal Centre clients is the provision for banks to take extra care with customers who are vulnerable due to elder abuse and financial abuse.  … Continue reading Risk banks will pay damages may better protect older Australians

With public hearings for the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety beginning in Adelaide yesterday,  staff at Caxton Legal Centre hope to see the value of a human-rights-based approach feature in oral submissions.   A human-rights-based approach positions the older person as the rights holder whose rights to autonomy and independence are recognized and enacted. This approach … Continue reading A rights-based approach necessary in the response to elder abuse

The Queensland Parliament Legal Affairs and Community Safety committee published its report on the inquiry into the Human Rights Bill yesterday and recommended that the Bill be passed. We hope that will happen in the coming months. Caxton Legal Centre's submission was quoted a number of times. The report is available at the link below. … Continue reading Human Rights inquiry recommends Bill be passed

As the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety kicks off Caxton Legal Centre watches closely with the hope that real change will be affected through the process.  A case study from Caxton’s Seniors Legal and Support Service (SLASS) below highlights some of the specific vulnerabilities faced by older people who depend on services … Continue reading Margaret’s resilience following sexual assault

Ros Williams in action at an evening advice session  Caxton Legal Centre Senior Lawyer Ros Williams has been nominated for an Impact 25 Award. The Impact 25 Awards are a well-established accolade that recognise the 25 most influential people in the Australian social sector as nominated and voted for by their peers.    Ros Williams has been with … Continue reading Award nomination for Caxton Senior Lawyer

2018 has been another huge year for Caxton Legal Centre - we've witnessed the introduction of a Human Rights Bill in Queensland, used drama to educate at the 2018 National Elder Abuse Conference and welcomed new faces to some of the key positions in our organisation. As the year ends Caxton staff and management committee wish … Continue reading Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from Caxton Legal Centre