50 sexual assault cases in aged care every week.
Hear Our Voices is an initiative of the Older Women’s Network NSW (OWN NSW), an organisation that has championed the rights, dignity and wellbeing of older women for almost 40 years.
Founded in 1985 and recognised as the peak body for local OWN groups across the state, OWN NSW works for a society where older women live free from poverty, violence, neglect and discrimination.
Our network of groups and wellness centres offers community connection, wellbeing programs, and grassroots advocacy on issues including housing, health, ageism, and safety.
Our Vision
For every older woman to be safe, where disclosures are believed, where services respond with dignity and urgency, and where older women’s experiences of sexual violence are no longer invisible but drive real, systemic change.
Our Commitment to Ending Violence Against Older Women
age-aware, trauma-informed responses across DFSV, aged care, health and justice
Our work is grounded in lived experience, research, and decades of community engagement.
"Ready to Listen"
Hear Our Voices builds on OWN NSW’s key involvement in Ready to Listen, a national project led by Celebrate Ageing in partnership with OPAN and OWN NSW.
Ready to Listen responded to the widespread and under-reported sexual assault of older women, especially in aged-care settings. The project:
Amplified older women’s voices
Ensuring survivor experiences shaped the national discussion
Promotes sector education
Challenges stigma and ageism
Advocates for reform
Hear Our Voices takes this work further by expanding beyond aged care into community-based services and creating a dedicated home for tools, evidence and survivor-informed practice guidance in NSW.
