A jump in reports of elder abuse has prompted authorities to ask for more victims to come forward.

More than 5700 reports were made to Victoria Police in the 12 months to March, an increase of more than 40 per cent over the past five years.

Police consider any act that causes harm to an older person to be elder abuse, and say it occurs regardless of a person’s gender, sexuality, culture, ethnicity, religious or socio-economic background.

Victoria Police Assistant Commissioner Lauren Callaway says It is often at the hands of someone a victim knows, such as a family member or paid carer.

“Some abuse involves psychological manipulation and intimidation, the threat that if you don’t do this or that we will put you in an aged care home,” she said.

“There could also be adult children trying to sell the house without consent, or maybe the older family member is forced into childcare or other work against their will.”

Police say there has been a particularly high jump in reports of financial abuse, which they attribute to cost-of-living pressures.

Elder abuse can take many other forms, such as physical, emotional or social abuse, as well as neglect.

Examples include forcing someone to change their will, assault or threatening harm, threatening pets, stopping people from doing activities they enjoy, or failing to provide basic necessities.

Ms Callaway encouraged anyone who had been abused or those worried about someone else to come forward.

“All of these forms of abuse fall under the umbrella of family violence and should be reported to police because any attack on an elderly person or any other vulnerable person within our community is unacceptable,” she said.

– AAP