Listen to the stories. Inspired by the real experiences of older Queenslanders.
A Time to Listen is a storytelling project by Council on the Ageing Queensland that shares six short video stories inspired by the real experiences of older Queenslanders and the people around them.
These stories explore the quieter, more complex signs of the abuse and mistreatment of older people. Sometimes it is fear. Sometimes it is silence. Sometimes it is shame. Sometimes it is trust being taken advantage of.
Some viewers may find these stories emotional or confronting. They are inspired by lived experiences shared with Council on the Ageing Queensland. To protect the privacy and confidentiality of those involved, the people featured are digital representations rather than real individuals. Every story has been carefully de-identified while keeping the person’s experience at the heart of the story.
Watch the stories
Anne’s Story
Sometimes it’s in the silence.
Waiting for help that takes too long.
Wiremu's Story
Sometimes it’s right in front of you.
Seeing the signs others might miss.
Why these stories matter​
Abuse and mistreatment of older people can happen in families, communities, services and systems. It may involve financial abuse, coercive control, neglect, psychological abuse, intimidation, or the loss of choice and control.
It is not always loud.
It is not always visible.
And it is not always easy to recognise.
By listening to these stories, we hope more people will recognise the signs, respond with compassion, and know where to find information, support and help.
Did you notice?​
Every story highlights different signs of abuse and mistreatment.
- Anne shows how neglect can hide behind distance, isolation and carer stress.
- Maria reveals the fear and control that can exist behind closed doors.
- Lenka demonstrates how intimidation can continue long after the abuse ends.
- Wiremu notices subtle signs in an everyday interaction.
- Jason questions changes that don’t feel right.
- Sharon shows how harm can occur through complex systems.
Sometimes the signs are subtle.
Sometimes they’re easy to explain away.
But noticing them can make all the difference.
Learn about abuse and mistreatment of older people
Understand the different forms of abuse and mistreatment, recognise the warning signs and learn how to respond if something doesn’t feel right.
Recognising World Elder Abuse Awareness Day
Every year on June 15th, World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) encourages communities to recognise the abuse and mistreatment of older people and take action.
A Time to Listen is part of Council on the Ageing Queensland’s commitment to helping Queenslanders recognise the signs, start conversations and know where to find support.
Find information and support
If you or someone you know is in immediate danger please call 000 for emergency services. For text-based emergency access (for hearing or speech impairment), call 106.
If these stories have raised concerns for you or someone you know, support is available. You don’t have to work it out alone.
Looking for legal support in your area?
Queensland has a network of community legal centres and legal support services that can provide advice on matters such as elder abuse, financial abuse, powers of attorney, guardianship and other legal issues.
Every story matters
Listening is often the first step towards recognising the abuse and mistreatment of older people.
By taking the time to listen, you can help create safer, more respectful communities where older people are seen, heard and supported.Â
Acknowledgements
We extend our heartfelt thanks to the older Queenslanders who generously shared their stories and experiences with us. Your courage, honesty and willingness to speak about difficult experiences have made this project possible and will help raise awareness of the abuse and mistreatment of older people across Queensland.
To protect privacy, the stories have been carefully de-identified and recreated using AI technology while remaining true to the experiences shared.
This series was produced by Red Hat Films in partnership with Council on the Ageing (COTA) Queensland.
