Elderly Financial Abuse Crime

Summary

Elderly financial abuse is a criminal offense in Canberra, often categorized as fraud or theft. If authorities like the AFP fail to act, victims can seek assistance from the ACT Human Rights Commission or the Ombudsman. For legal support, contacting Legal Aid ACT or Canberra Community Law for pro bono services is advisable. Gathering evidence, preparing a detailed statement, and consulting a private attorney specializing in elder law can also be beneficial.

Full Conversation

yes

In Canberra, elderly financial abuse is indeed a criminal offense. Here are some steps and legal protections available:
- Reporting: You can report the abuse to the Australian Federal Police (AFP).
- Legal Protections: The Crimes Act * (ACT) and other laws provide protections against financial abuse.
Would you like more details on the reporting process or legal protections?

it was reported to the AFP but failed to do anything, they did not even interview the victim

I'm sorry to hear that the AFP did not take action. You might consider lodging a complaint or seeking advice from other agencies. Have you thought about contacting the ACT Human Rights Commission or seeking legal advice from a community legal service?

ACT Human Rights Commission

Phone: (*) * *
Website: www.hrc.act.gov.au

Would you like more information on how to proceed with a complaint or legal advice?

all other agencies have also failed to act

I'm sorry to hear about the repeated lack of action. Given the severity of the issue, you might consider reaching out to the Ombudsman for further assistance. They can investigate complaints about government agencies, including the AFP.
Would you like details on how to contact the Ombudsman?

4 years of pursuance have gone nowhere, the perpetrator successfully stole over $*,* and got away with because no one has taken any action

I'm really sorry to hear about your situation. Given the significant amount involved and the lack of response from authorities, it might be time to seek legal advice from a private lawyer specializing in financial abuse or elder law. Have you considered consulting a private attorney?

he needs a probono lawyer

It sounds like a significant and complex case requiring legal expertise. You may want to contact the Legal Aid ACT or the Canberra Community Law for pro bono legal assistance.

Legal Aid ACT

Phone: (*) * *
Website: [www.legalaidact.org.au](http://www.legalaidact.org.au)

Canberra Community Law

Phone: (*) * *
Website: [www.canberracommunitylaw.org.au](http://www.canberracommunitylaw.org.au)
Would you like more details on how to get started with them?

yes

~Legal Aid ACT
Phone: (*) * *
Website: [www.legalaidact.org.au](http://www.legalaidact.org.au)

~Canberra Community Law
Phone: (*) * *
Website: [www.canberracommunitylaw.org.au](http://www.canberracommunitylaw.org.au)
You can start by contacting these organizations to explain your situation and request pro bono assistance. They can provide you with specific guidance on the next steps to take.
Would you like help with preparing any documents or understanding the process further?

yes

If you need help preparing documents or understanding the process further, here are some steps:
- Gather Evidence: Collect all relevant documents, such as bank statements, emails, and other correspondence.
- Prepare a Statement: Write a detailed statement of events, including dates and descriptions of the abuse.
- Contact Legal Aid ACT or Canberra Community Law: Explain your situation and provide the evidence and statement.
Would you like more details on how to structure your statement or any other specific assistance?

yes

To structure your statement effectively, follow these guidelines:
- Introduction:
- Briefly explain who you are and your relationship to the victim.

- Chronological Timeline:
- List events in the order they occurred with dates.

- Details of Abuse:
- Describe each incident of financial abuse in detail.
- Include amounts of money taken and how it was done.
- Supporting Evidence:
- Attach copies of bank statements, emails, and any other relevant documents.
- Impact Statement:
- Explain the impact on the victim's well-being and finances.
Would you like more assistance in any specific section?