Leading the fight against      adult abuse

Need information or support?
Call our helpline     UK:   0808 808 8141
  ROI:    800 940 010  

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Our helplines

Action on Elder Abuse operate the UK and Ireland's only national, freephone helpline for anyone concerned in any way about the abuse of older people.  Although it cannot provide legal advice, it can provide information on the nature of elder abuse and indicate what action might be taken in response to abuse or to prevent it.  In the UK the freephone number is 0808 808 8141 while in the Republic of Ireland it is 1800 940 010. 

In addition we operate a freephone helpline for Southern Cross Healthcare, the largest provider of residential care in the UK.  This helpline is available on a telephone number publicised within each Southern Cross care home, and is available to staff, residents, relatives and friends.

We are also piloting an Adult Abuse helpline within Essex, which provides advice and information to any adult who may be at risk of or experiencing abuse.  And we provide a helpline email service for advocates.  Click here for further information.

Unlike other Helplines that are generic for older people, the AEA Elder Abuse Response Line is dedicated exclusively to elder abuse and is staffed by paid workers and volunteers who are trained and experienced in providing advice on abuse.   The helpline is confidential and provides information and assistance across the four nations of the UK, and in Ireland.

The helpline is there for anyone – including older people themselves, their friends and relatives – but we also take calls from practitioners who seek advice on handling difficult situations or are looking to identify ways in which they can work more positively to prevent abuse.  

Students are also welcome to ring and can be sent a free briefing pack describing the nature of elder abuse, how it can be recognised, and what can be done to lessen its effect or prevent it (also available to download from the website.  Click here to be taken to the relevant page).

Click here to download a general publicity leaflet advertising the services of our helpline.

Elder Abuse Response can also be contacted by writing to Action on Elder Abuse at the address on our Contacts Page or by e-mail to: enquiries@elderabuse.org.uk (please remember that if you use e-mail confidentiality cannot be guaranteed). 

Helpline staff are not able to meet members of the public as it is a telephone service, and we do not provide a drop in service.

More Information:

The majority of calls to the Helpline are from Older people or their relatives....

The greatest form of abuse reported is psychological, followed by financial and physical in equal numbers

Order Hidden Voices to find out more information on the nature of elder abuse.