title: Tackling abuse requires awareness, accountability, action.
abstract: Abuse of older people has to be abhorrent to all who encounter it and, as the veil of taboo becomes lifted, it is now being openly discussed (see pages 4 and 8 ). The extent and potential of abuse is concerning but the government is currently working with Action on Elder Abuse to establish the extent of the problem and review the implementation of previous guidance (DoH 2001).