World Elder Abuse Awareness Day

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day

The abuse of older people, also known as elder abuse, is a single or repeated act, or

lack of appropriate action, occurring within any relationship where there is an

expectation of trust, which causes harm or distress to an older person. This type of

violence constitutes a violation of human rights and includes physical, sexual,

psychological and emotional abuse; financial and material abuse; abandonment.

neglect; and serious loss of dignity and respect.

Abuse of older people can have serious physical and mental health, financial, and

social consequences, the risks for instance may include, physical injuries, neglect,

abandonment, premature mortality, depression, cognitive decline, financial hardship

etc.

As many as one in 10 older people in New Zealand will experience some kind of

Elder Abuse. Most abuse isn’t recognized or is ignored, and the elderly suffer in

silence. Elder Abuse is a serious public health concern requiring immediate

intervention: however, the under-reporting of Elder Abuse by victims remains a major

obstacle. Some of the barriers to reporting include cultural stigma, fear of retaliation

by the perpetrators who are mostly family and caregivers, lack of awareness of

support available, low confidence etc.

Every year the month of June is dedicated worldwide to raise Elder Abuse

awareness, to support and empower the elderly going through abuse. Annually 15th

June is designated as World Elder Abuse Awareness Day by the United Nations.

WEAAD aims to provide an opportunity for communities around the world to promote

a better understanding of the abuse older people suffer by raising awareness of the

cultural, social, economic, and demographic processes affecting them.

The theme this year is "Closing the Circle: Addressing Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in

Older Age Policy, Law, and Evidence-based Responses".

If you are concerned about Elder Abuse, whether you are an older person yourself, a

family member, friend, neighbour or professional, confidential, and culturally appropriate

help support is available. You can contact Nilima Venkat, a social worker with vast

experience in this field who can help and guide you towards positive outcomes.

Abuse of any sort is not OK and it's OK to ask for help. Let’s collectively raise

awareness on this menace and empower our elderly to lead a good quality of life.

-Nilima Venkat MNZM, JP, BSW, Head of operations

Global Indian Business Chamber, Ph – 021682631, info@igbcorg.com

About IGBC-

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