The need to strengthen protection and prevention mechanisms to tackle elderly abuse has been highlighted by the Third Age Observatory in a statement marking World Elder Abuse Awareness Day.
The organisation stressed that abuse of older people remains a serious social issue that often does not receive the attention it deserves, despite affecting large numbers of people worldwide.
One in six older people affected
Citing data from the World Health Organization, the Observatory noted that one in six people aged over 60 has experienced some form of abuse globally.
The report said elderly abuse is not limited to physical violence, but also includes verbal and psychological abuse, sexual and financial exploitation, neglect, indifference and social isolation.
Most cases, it added, occur in private settings and are often committed by family members, caregivers or domestic workers, while incidents in care facilities have also been reported.
Barriers to reporting abuse
According to the statement, victims often fail to report abuse due to emotional, financial or practical dependence on perpetrators, fear of retaliation, and doubts over whether their complaints will be taken seriously.
The Observatory urged the public to remain alert to possible signs of elderly abuse, which may include bruises, injuries or burns, as well as behavioural changes such as sadness, confusion or social withdrawal.
Criticism of state response
The organisation also criticised state policy, referring to political inaction, institutional gaps and fragmented measures that have left the problem unresolved for decades.
It said current approaches are often limited to short-term or superficial interventions that fail to address the root causes of elderly abuse.
Calls for stronger protection measures
Among its proposals, the Observatory called for stronger legal protection for victims, increased public awareness campaigns, tighter inspections in care facilities and the creation of safe shelters for elderly people who have suffered abuse.
It concluded that protecting the dignity and lives of older people is a fundamental right and a core responsibility of a democratic society, warning that continued neglect amounts to moral complicity.
Source: CNA
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