Crime & Safety Council on the Ageing - Protecting Seniors in Western Australia

CRIME & SAFETY COUNCIL ON THE AGEING Western Australia Marlene Robbins

CRIME & SAFETY AIMS & OBJECTIVES • To inform seniors of safe behaviour and reduce levels of fear • Distribute comprehensive information kit • Home Security • Out and about • Your money • Legal Matters • Elder Abuse

CRIME & SAFETY • Computer Technology • Home Security • Emergency and important contact numbers

CRIME & SAFETY • Crime will always be with us, however crime against seniors is a small percentage of crime victims. You and your community together with the police can help to reduce crime in your area. Maintain strong social connections, social interaction contributes to an overall sense of wellbeing. Be proactive, take all precautions possible to protect yourself and your belongings then do not focus on fear of crime when you have done all you can. • In the world we now live in it is becoming increasingly important to develop conscious behavioural practices to protect ourselves and our property. Gone are the days when homes and car doors could be left unlocked without any fear of burglary. It is also no longer advisable to walk alone on dark streets at night. The need to protect our identity is another area of concern.

Crime & Safety • “In all age groups, males were at higher risk than females of being a robbery victim. The discrepancy between male and female rates was highest in those aged 15 to 19 and decreased with increasing age. • Males aged 15 to 19 were more than twice as likely to become a victim of robbery as were males aged 25 or older and all females. The rate of victimisation of males aged 15 to 19 was 434 per 100,000 (19%) • Females at highest risk were those aged 20 to 24, at 102 per 100,000 and next highest were those aged 15 to 19 at 94 per 100,000” • Older people aged 65 years and over had a much lower risk (8%)

CRIME & SAFETY Home Safety • Keep the Police Number 131 444 displayed in a prominent place • Don’t indicate that you live alone • Make sure your house number is clearly visible from the street • Never leave a spare key outside • Make sure handbags or wallets are not left in sight • Know your neighbours

Crime & Safety • Doors and windows • Secure door and window locks • Keep all doors and windows locked at all times even when you are at home. • Close curtains or blinds when lights are switched on. • Never keep spare keys anywhere outside your home, arrange to leave those with a trusted neighbour or friend. • Always check identification before admitting strangers to your home. • Don’t leave your door unlocked if you are expecting a visitor. Burglars often gain access to homes through an unlocked door or window • Have deadlocks on front and back doors with keys easily accessible to home residents only. • Have a security chain or peephole or security screen on front door. • Have patio bolts fitted to sliding patio windows and locks to all windows. Ensure that you have keys available at all times for a quick exit in case of fire or other emergency.

CRIME & SAFETY Your telephone – A personal safety device - discuss/ Demonstrate telephone procedure and conversation with sales person trying to gain information • WHAT ABOUT REQUESTS TO PARTICIPATE IN PHONE SURVEYS? Discuss

CRIME & SAFETY SAFE ROOM • Have in mind one room which could be your safe room if an intruder enters the house. This could be a bedroom or even a bathroom where you can lock yourself in with a phone. This would allow time to call the police. • This could be as simple as fixing a small bolt to the door of your safe room.

CRIME & SAFETY SAFETY OUTSIDE • Keep trees, shrubs and plants well trimmed to ensure a good view of you home from the street as these can hide activity in and around home from neighbours. This could enable burglaries to occur without observation. • Outside lighting is an aid to security, sensor lights in blind areas of a house or garden can deter intruders. • Keep garage doors and sheds locked • Ladders tools and other items should not be left around the yard.

CRIME & SAFETY VISITORS/CALLERS • Always check the identification of callers before admitting them to your home. If you still feel uncertain ask for the telephone number of the organization they represent in order to phone and check credentials. • Do not give personal information about yourself , your assets, the contents of your home or any other private information to unsolicited callers. • Avoid buying any goods or getting any work done by strangers who call at your home unsolicited. Never let strangers who call in person or by telephone know that you are alone in the house.

CRIME & SAFETY LEAVING & RETURNING HOME • Always lock garage doors when you go out. When out and about always have a mobile phone or change for a public phone (If you can find one) • It is a good idea to have time activated switches on the TV and lamps if you are away for an extended periods. Before you leave check all doors and windows and never leave notes to say when you will be back. • Cancel the newspaper and ask a neighbour to collect your mail

CRIME & SAFETY SAFETY IN THE STREET • Trust your instincts and be alert when you are out. • Scenario Man going into open all hours shop. • Talk about possibilities of how to handle potentially dangerous situations in the street. • Demonstrate the correct way to carry a handbag

CRIME & SAFETY • In recent years I have noticed a practice on the streets of strangers coming up and asking me for money. Many people have possibly had the same experience. At times it is hard not to feel sympathetic and wish to help. If you wish to respond to these requests keep a small amount of money in a pocket or an outer compartment of your bag. Never take out your purse or wallet on the street to give money to anyone. Be alert to your surroundings when you draw money from any cash point particularly an ATM.

CRIME & SAFETY HANDBAGS • When out and about most personal safety issues are because of the money a person is carrying in a purse or wallet or the money they are drawing out from a bank or ATM that attracts the thief • What precautions do you take when withdrawing money from an ATM? Ladies what do you do with your handbag when you have a meal in a restaurant or cafe? Demonstrate

CRIME & SAFETY CAR & CAR PARKS • Don’t ever attach your name and address to your keys. • Always have your car keys in your hand as you approach your car. • Check the back seat, keep the doors locked once you are inside the car. • Park in well lit areas. Get a transport parking permit if you are frail. • Keep your petrol topped up on long trips • Labelling car keys, there are schemes by some motoring association and others to issue numbered key rings. These enable keys to be handed in and the owner notified by the association.

CRIME & SAFETY USING PUBLIC TRANSPORT • Check timetables to avoid long waiting periods • When waiting sit in a well lit area near other people. • Sit on an aisle seat, and then if necessary you can move quickly. • In trains choose carriages with more people. • If possible avoid travelling on public transport at night. Avoid train carriages that are almost empty and again adopt an air of confidence. Consider travelling by taxi if you are out late at night

CRIME & SAFETY MONEY • Safe Banking • With today’s modern banking services, it is unnecessary to carry large sums of money. Cheque books, EFTPOS, credit cards and automatic bill paying by your bank make money matters much safer and easier. Ask your bank about the safest way to do your banking. • Never carry large sums of money • Keep your savings and large amounts of money in a bank or other financial institution, never at home. • Varying your routine helps to prevent theft. Try not to do your banking at the same time on the same day each week or fortnight. • When withdrawing cash, opt for small denominations, like five, ten and twenty dollar notes rather than fifty or hundred dollar notes.

CRIME & SAFETY • Don’t display large amounts of cash in public. Put your money straight into your purse or wallet before moving away from the teller at a bank counter, and before moving away from an automatic teller machine. • Avoid placing all your money and keys in your handbag or wallet. Place the money in a concealed part of your clothing or in a money belt. • Avoid automatic teller machines outside shopping centres. • Withdraw money when you pay for groceries by using the in-store EFTPOS facilities. They are located in supermarkets, convenience stores and service stations

CRIME & SAFETY IDENTITY THEFT • Identity theft happens and it can happen to anyone young or old, therefore it is important to take precautions to prevent it. • Simply steps such as shredding documents, envelopes or any papers that show personal information such as name and address can reduce the risks. Shredders can be bought cheaply at many stores. • Never leave credit cards or any other identifying material in unattended cars, always keep your bag or wallet close to your person while out shopping or on any outing as in supermarkets and other shops thieves can be on watch for any opportunities, the loss of a wallet or purse can mean someone has access to all of your cards and other identifying material.

CRIME & SAFETY • Police suggest simple things to do so you're not the next victim... • Keep cards close • Shred personal paperwork • Lock your letterbox • Never leave your pin around • Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000

CRIME & SAFETY COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY • Seniors are taking up computer technology faster than any other age group. When using the internet there are a few things to keep in mind • For internet use have a credit card that you use only for internet transactions. • Have a low credit limit on it and check your statements regularly. Only give your credit details to individuals or companies that you know and trust. Print out and keep a record of all transactions and receipts for purchases on line. Log off after all transactions this is important for security against misuse by hackers. Be sparing in providing personal details over the internet. Install a firewall and anti-virus software to protect your computer. • If using the internet for banking do not ever give out private details of bank accounts or other business in response to email requests. Check everything thoroughly before doing business. • Discussions and scenarios in training

CRIME & SAFETY This may be worth a mention • A few months ago I was on Face book which I use solely to keep in touch with young family members. I responded to a request to do a simple survey and was required to give the number of my mobile phone. Over the next couple of days I received two text messages, my account was charged seven dollars for each of these. I went to see my service provider (Telstra) where I was given a number to text with the word STOP. This was the end of the matter but it cost me fourteen dollars.

CRIME & SAFETY LEGAL MATTERS • Signing contracts and or legal documents • Before signing any legal document such as a contract or a will: • Read it carefully and check it with your own solicitor or legal aid officer, or simply call the Citizens Advice Bureau of WA on (08) 92215711 • You have the right to refuse to sign any document if you are being pressured into signing before you have had time to think about it. • Always keep a copy of the signed document for your own records, in a safe place.

CRIME & SAFETY Safekeeping your documents • Keep all legal documents such as your will, insurance policies, shares and deeds to the house, together in a folder in a safe place at home, or preferably at your solicitor’s office or bank. Some banks offer seniors free safekeeping services. • Give your solicitor a list of all the documents you have in safekeeping and details of how to get them in an emergency. • Consider using bank safety deposit boxes for the safekeeping of important documents and valuables. They are available in a variety of sizes to accommodate everything from documents to large paintings. Enquire at your local bank for details • Discuss this

CRIME & SAFETY SCAMS • Knowing the questions to ask will lessen the chance of being scammed as culprits will become aware of your level of knowledge and may fear the possibility of being caught. • A fair assumption when faced with something that “Seems too good to be true” is that it probably is too good to be true. • Look further • Question • Decide • NO IS ALWAYS YOUR BEST DEFENCE

CRIME & SAFETY Scams and con artists do exist • Don’t be talked into anything you’re uncertain about. Remember it’s a lot easier to say ‘No’ than to call for help. • Be bold. Question their identity. If they are not genuine, they will most likely run away. If they are genuine they will respect your caution. • Be careful when giving money to door-to-door charity collectors. Ask to see their official identification and take the time to assure yourself it is genuine. • While you can normally trust your usual delivery people, such as the post person, don’t buy from door-to-door salespeople you don’t know.

CRIME & SAFETY • The Department of Consumer and Employment Protection advises there is a ten day cooling-off period for contracts entered into with door-to-door salespeople. • Beware of cheap home improvement offers, miracle cures and work-at-home schemes that require you to buy equipment or outlay money. • Remember con artists can be males or females of any age. They may work on their own or in pairs. • Scenarios and discussion • SCAM list in handouts

CRIME & SAFETY Elder Abuse • We would all prefer to believe that this is not something we will ever encounter in our own lives or those of people we know but we need to be informed. • Older people are entitled to live with security and peace during their later years. However some older people experience mistreatment by someone they trust. That is, their right to feel safe in their own home, manage and control their money, and to make their own decisions, is abused by members of their own family or their friends. That is elder abuse. • Elder abuse is doing something or failing to do something that results in harm to an elderly person or puts a helpless older person at risk of harm. This includes • Physical abuse • Social abuse • Psychological abuse • Sexual abuse • Material or financial abuse • Neglect

CRIME & SAFETY • As elders become more physically frail, they’re less able to stand up to bullying and or fight back if attacked. They may not see or hear as well or think as clearly as they used to, leaving openings for unscrupulous people to take advantage of them. Mental or physical ailments may make them more trying companions for the people who live with them. • Elder abuse tends to take place where the senior lives: most often in the home where abusers are apt to be adult children; other family members such as grandchildren; or spouses/partners of elders. Institutional settings especially long-term care facilities can also be sources of elder abuse. Abuse of elders takes many different forms, some involving intimidation or threats against the elderly, some involving neglect, and others involving financial abuse.

CRIME & SAFETY Physical abuse • Physical elder abuse is non-accidental use of force against an elderly person that results in physical pain, injury, or impairment. Such abuse includes not only physical assaults such as hitting or shoving but the inappropriate use of drugs, restraints, or confinement.

CRIME & SAFETY Emotional abuse • In emotional or psychological senior abuse, people speak to or treat elderly persons in ways that cause emotional pain or distress. • Verbal forms of emotional elder abuse include intimidation through yelling or threats humiliation and ridicule habitual blaming or scapegoating. • Nonverbal psychological elder abuse can take the form of ignoring the elderly person isolating an elder from friends or activities terrorizing or menacing the elderly person.

CRIME & SAFETY • Engage trainee peer educators in discussion on what could and should be done in circumstances where elder abuse is suspected. • Enact scenarios of possible situations OFFinancial Abuse • Emotional or psychological abuse • Neglect Discussion on elder abuse and what to do about it.

Crime & Safety Council on the Ageing - Protecting Seniors in Western Australia