Elder abuse under-reported: WA police

Western Australia's criminal justice system is not set up to deal with elder abuse and is unlikely to ever prevent it from occurring, according to one of the state's top cops.

Acting Assistant Commissioner Lawrence Panaia said police used to think elder abuse was limited to roof repairmen preying on vulnerable seniors.

But after WA police recently changed their system to specify when a victim was over 60-years-old, it became clear the issue was far more widespread, Mr Panaia said.

He told the National Elder Abuse Conference in Perth on Wednesday that of the 400 cases of elder abuse already recorded in the state, 68 per cent were family related and involved mainly financial and physical abuse.

Elder abuse is also massively under-reported with few incidents identified as part of the one million interactions police have with the public every year, he said.

It is estimated that about 12,500 seniors in WA experience elder abuse.

Mr Panaia said it was difficult to prosecute perpetrators of elder abuse because of the lack of evidence and credible witnesses in cases.

He said prosecutors were likely to discontinue criminal proceedings if the victim could not endure cross examination due to credibility issues like dementia.

Mr Panaia said it was likely the criminal justice system was never going to prevent or be a solution to elder abuse and it was important to instead provide support for victims.

"Being supportive around the victim and realising the situation is very important rather than charging an offender and putting them before a court," Mr Panaia said.

*WA readers seeking support and information about elders abuse can contact the Advocare helpline on 1300 724 679.