Programme

1.00  Welcome from Caroline Strong, COO, IASW

1.05  Domestic Violence Does Not Retire: The Importance of Language in Recognising Domestic Violence in Later Life (Aishat Sanusi)

1.20  Supporting Older People in SATU: Considerations in Practice (Laura Feely)

1.35  Safeguarding: Through the Lens of Complicity (Anne O'Loughlin)

1.50  Q&A

2.00  Close

Speaker Biographies

Aishat Sanusi is a qualified Social Worker with a Master’s degree from the University of Manchester. She has extensive experience working with both adults and children, with a particular focus on mental health. Aishat is committed to safeguarding, promoting choice, and delivering holistic, recovery-focused care. Alongside her professional practice, she is actively involved in community work with Muslim and African communities in Ireland, raising awareness of mental health, trauma, and wellbeing.

Domestic Violence Does Not Retire: The Importance of Language in Recognising Domestic Violence in Later Life

Aishat's presentation uses a story-based approach, sharing “Margaret” lived experience of abuse in later life to show how language silenced her: “As long as he wasn’t hitting me…” I reflect on my own lack of awareness until meeting her, connect her story to key evidence, and highlight how personal values and professional language can minimise or perpetuate abuse. I close with practical steps for frontline workers noticing indicators, helping survivors name their experience, building support networks, and educating them on their rights. 

Dr. Anne O’Loughlin is a retired social worker, whose career spanning forty years, specialised in medical social work with older people. Anne’s work of advocacy for public and professional awareness of elder abuse from the mid 1980’s, culminated in co- authorship with Dr. Joseph Duggan of a seminal report Abuse, Neglect and Mistreatment of Older People: An Exploratory Study (1998). This report advocated for the establishment of a Working Party on Elder Abuse at the Department of Health. This was established in 1999 and led to subsequent report Protecting Our Future (WGEA 2002) and policy development on elder abuse in Ireland (HSE 2007), which was later incorporated into the Health Service Executive Policy Safeguarding Vulnerable Persons at Risk of Abuse (HSE 2014). Anne was awarded a Masters of Social Science (Social Work) from UCD in 1996 for her research Elder Abuse: A New Reality About Old Age in Ireland? and a PhD from UCD in 2013 for her research Witnessing Elder Mistreatment in Nursing Homes: Social influences on non-reporting by staff who witness elder mistreatment perpetrated by colleagues. Anne continues to advocate and contribute through involvement in the Irish Association of Social Workers.

Title of Presentation: Safeguarding: through the lens of complicity

Learning Aims:

• Focus on some significant Social Work statements about reporting concerns about abuse, neglect and mistreatment of adults at risk
• Understand the complexity of organizational cultures as the background operating system of work
• Explore the value of the concept and process of complicity for Social Workers’ aims of promoting human rights and social justice

Laura Feely is the Senior Medical Social Worker in the Sexual Assault Treatment Unit (SATU) in Dublin and the first social worker appointed to a SATU in Ireland. She provides psychosocial and practical support to patients following sexual violence. Laura works collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team to deliver trauma-informed, patient-centred care and has a strong interest in advocacy and reflective practice within complex healthcare environments.

Supporting Older People in SATU: Considerations in Practice

Laura’s presentation will

• Describe the role and function of SATU and understand how it provides care in the immediate aftermath of sexual violence.
• Identify specific considerations and challenges for older people affected by sexual violence