Elder Abuse Awareness Day recognizes all forms of violence against older adults

Stephenville - June 15 will mark the third World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) - a day which aims to create awareness about violence against older adults in all its forms.

With a view towards preventing violence and addressing it when it does occur, organizers feel marking this day will provide people with an opportunity to share information, learn more, discuss the issue of violence against older adults and become involved.

The Department of Health and Community Services is a key partner in this province's Violence Prevention Initiative. It is also home to the Aging and Seniors Division, which acts as a centre of expertise and knowledge in the area of aging and seniors. The WEAAD initiative has resulted in the creation of posters and an educational/informational tool kit with fact sheets on violence against older adults, including how to access relevant resources.

Linda Soper, provincial liaison for the Violence Prevention Initiative, said these tools are entitled "Abuse Hurts at any Age." She said there are a number of issues outlined in these fact sheets that people should be aware of.

She defines violence against older adults as actions that harm an older person or jeopardize the person's health or welfare. There are different forms or types of violence that include: physical, psychological, emotional or verbal, financial, sexual, spiritual, neglect, and violation of rights.

Physical violence can involve violence or rough treatment, even if no injury (pushing, hitting, throwing objects). It can include a threat of physical force, inappropriate use of medications or restraints.

Sexual violence can involve sexual contact with an older adult without that person's consent or unwelcome sexual comments or jokes, leering.

Psychological violence includes name calling, intimidation, threats, yelling, ignoring, social isolation, treating an older adult "like a child", or trying to control a situation by making decisions for others.

Financial abuse a can include pressuring for money, goods, or property; illegally or improperly using a person's money, assets, or property.

Neglect can be physical, emotional or financial and refers to situations where a person has a responsibility to provide care or assistance to an older adult but does not.

Examples include a neglectful caregiver might stop paying the bills or providing food, shelter, medication, medical attention or other forms of assistance, or abandoning the person.

Spiritual abuse or neglect refers to restriction or loss of a person's spiritual practices, customs or traditions. An example could be not allowing the older person to attend the church, synagogue or temple of his or her choice.

Violation of rights involves ignoring an older adult's entitlement to basic rights and freedoms and includes making decisions about the older adult's health, personal care, or finances without the person's consent.

Who are the victims? Soper says most adults who experience abuse or neglect are mentally competent, not dependent on other people and do not require constant care. It can occur in any relationship where there is an expectation of trust, or a person is in a position of power or authority.

Abuse of older adults most often occurs within the family, by a spouse, children and/or grandchildren, but can include friends, neighbours, paid care providers, landlords and staff, or any individual in a position of trust or authority.

Many types of abuse and neglect are crimes under Criminal Code of Canada and include theft, fraud, assault, sexual assault, criminal intimidation and harassment, failing to provide a dependent person with necessities of life, manslaughter or murder.

How many older adults are affected is not really known as incidents are often hidden and under-reported (only one in five cases comes to attention of community agencies or authorities).

But there is help available for older adults. Community responses to such abuses can be made in Bay St. George to the RCMP at 643-2118. Crisis-oriented services include the Mental Health Crisis Line at 1-888-737-4668 or the Sexual Assault Crisis Line at 1-800-726-2743.

In Stephenville the Victims Services Program can be contacted at 643-6588; Regional Health Authorities at 643-8601.

Non-profit organizations such as Public Legal Information Association or Seniors Resource Centre Association can also help.