Statement from Richard Robinson, CEO of Hourglass, on the appointment of Satvir Kaur as Safeguarding Minister

Statement from Richard Robinson, CEO of Hourglass, on the appointment of Satvir Kaur as Safeguarding Minister

“I would like to congratulate Satvir Kaur on her appointment as Minister for Safeguarding, Violence Against Women and Girls and Equalities, and wish her every success in this important role

She inherits a safeguarding system in which older victim-survivors remain too easily overlooked. Their experiences can fall between domestic abuse, adult safeguarding, health, social care, housing and criminal justice, with no single part of government accepting clear responsibility for ensuring they receive the right support.

Around one in five older people experience abuse. Despite that scale, abuse in later life continues to receive far less attention, investment and specialist provision than it deserves.

The new Minister therefore has an opportunity to address one of the most persistent gaps in national safeguarding policy. Older people, and particularly older victim-survivors, still lack a clear and consistent champion at the heart of Westminster. We hope Satvir will become that champion and ensure their voices are heard wherever policy, commissioning and funding decisions are made.

The priorities are clear: a national strategy on violence against older people, proper representation for older victim-survivors, better and more consistent data, improved professional training and specialist services that are available wherever someone lives.

Hourglass stands ready to work constructively with the new Minister. Older victim-survivors do not need another period of warm words and limited recognition. They need national leadership, political ownership and a safeguarding system that recognises their lives and experiences.”

- Richard Robinson, CEO of Hourglass