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Calls grow for stronger action on abuse of older people

Over 200 professionals gather for Hourglass’ most successful Safer Ageing Summit

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Hourglass’ Safer Ageing Summit 2025 brought together more than 200 delegates last week – the charity’s largest and most high-profile conference to date – as ministers, sector leaders and frontline practitioners set out an urgent agenda to tackle the abuse, harm, exploitation and neglect of older people across the UK.

 

The packed programme featured keynote speeches from Alex Davies-Jones MP (UK Government Minister for Victims), Jess Phillips MP (Minister for Safeguarding and VAWG), Kaukab Stewart MSP (Minister for Equalities, Scottish Government) and Dame Nicole Jacobs (Domestic Abuse Commissioner for England and Wales). All four emphasised the national importance of recognising and responding to abuse of older people, with strong calls for better protection, improved justice pathways, and systemic reform.

 

Delegates – representing local authorities, police forces, housing providers, health professionals, voluntary organisations and academics – engaged in a day of thought-provoking discussion, with Q&A sessions so active that not all questions could be answered live.

 

Alongside the keynotes, the Summit delivered a series of highly attended workshops led by frontline experts:

 

• Reflections from the Frontline – exploring real-world practice challenges

• Economic Abuse in Scotland – examining widespread financial exploitation

• Domestic Abuse-Related Deaths – asking whether lessons are truly being learned

• Poverty in Later Life and Abuse – highlighting structural violence and risk

 

Panels across the day tackled some of the most urgent issues facing older people: ageism in housing and safeguarding, sexual abuse of older people, and much-needed reform of Powers of Attorney including the campaign for Willie’s Law. Discussion was passionate and the conclusions were the same – older people are still not getting the protection, visibility or justice they deserve, and systemic change can’t wait until 2050.

 

Richard Robinson, Chief Executive of Hourglass, said:

 

“I’m delighted with the response to this year’s Conference. Over 200 professionals, practitioners and policymakers came together with a clear message: abuse of older people can no longer be treated as invisible, inevitable or secondary. The momentum generated must drive forward the reforms, investment and cultural change needed to build a genuinely Safer Ageing Society.”

 

Domestic Abuse Commissioner for England and Wales, Dame Nicole Jacobs, said:

 

“Abuse of older people is one of the least recognised and least understood areas of domestic abuse. We know the barriers older victim-survivors face are unique and that the true scale of the lives being impacted remains hidden. The discussions at this Summit were a vital reminder that we need better data and more accessible routes for people to get vital help and support. My office will continue working with Hourglass and others to ensure that older people are never invisible in domestic abuse policy or practice.”

 

 

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Alex Davies-Jones, Minister for Victims and Tackling VAWG, said:

 

“I was delighted to be asked to speak once again at Hourglass’ 2025 Conference. This Summit demonstrates just how much expertise and determination exists across the UK to improve the response to the abuse of older people. Older victim-survivors deserve the same access to justice, support and protection as anyone else, and we must ensure the system reflects that. I look forward to continuing to work closely with Hourglass and partners to strengthen victims’ rights and close the gaps that leave older people at risk.”

 

 

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Kaukab Stewart, Minister for Equalities for the Scottish Government, said:

 

“Scotland has a responsibility to ensure that older people can live with dignity, safety and respect - free from harm and free from fear. The insights shared at this Summit reinforce the need for collective action across government, health, housing and justice. Older people must be fully included in our approaches to safeguarding and equality, and I welcome the partnership with Hourglass as we work to strengthen protection and support for older people across Scotland.”

 

 

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Hourglass will now work with delegates, governments and partners across all four nations to take forward the recommendations raised throughout the Summit. The charity’s focus is on keeping the conversation going and translating the commitments heard yesterday into meaningful national action by 2050.

 

ENDS

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Spokespeople Available: Richard Robinson, CEO, and Veronica Gray, DCEO and Policy Director are available for interview. Expert commentators on specific abuse types (economic, physical, psychological, sexual and neglect) can be arranged upon request.

 

Richard Robinson

Hourglass CEO

richardrobinson@wearehourglass.org

 

Veronica Gray

Hourglass DCEO

veronicagray@wearehourglass.org

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If you or anyone you know is affected by abuse call our free 24/7 confidential Helpline

0808 808 8141

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