World Elder Abuse Day, June 15

Please Join Us In Commemorating World Elder Abuse Awareness Day on June 15

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) is recognized annually on or around the 15th of June. Since its inception in 2006, communities throughout the country and around the world have used this day to raise the visibility of elder abuse by sharing information about abuse, neglect, and exploitation in later life and promoting the resources and services that work to increase victim safety and improve offender accountability.

The global population of people aged 60 years and older will more than double, from 542 million in 1995 to about 1.2 billion in 2025. Around 4 to 6% of elderly people have experienced some form of maltreatment at home. Elder maltreatment can lead to serious physical injuries and long-term psychological consequences. The incidence of abuse towards older people is predicted to increase as many countries are experiencing rapidly ageing populations.

Elder abuse is a global social issue which affects the health and human rights of millions of older persons around the world, and an issue which deserves the attention of the international community.

The United Nations General Assembly, in its resolution 66/127, designated June 15 as World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. It represents the one day in the year when the whole world voices its opposition to the abuse and suffering inflicted to some of our older generations.

The day aims to focus global attention on the problem of physical, emotional, and financial abuse of elders. It also seeks to understand the challenges and opportunities presented by an ageing population, and brings together senior citizens, and their caregivers, national and local government, academics, and the private sector to exchange ideas about how best to reduce incidents of violence towards elders, increase reporting of such abuse, and to develop elder friendly policies.

Background

Currently, the world is undergoing significant demographic changes. Estimates indicate that by 2050, the global population of people above the age of 60 will exceed the number of younger people. These changes have led to a worldwide recognition of the problems and challenges that face the elderly. Research has shown that elderly abuse, neglect, violence, and exploitation is one of the biggest issues facing senior citizens around the world. World Health Organization data suggests that 4 to 6 per cent of elderly suffer from some form of abuse, a large percentage of which goes unreported.

The purpose of the WEAAD is to encourage communities to recognize the problem of elderly abuse, and for countries to create policies that foster respect for elders and provide them the tools to continue to be productive citizens.

Observances

The first WEAAD was observed in 2012, and was marked by meetings and conferences at the UN headquarters in New York.

In addition to the WEAAD, the UN also observes an International Day of Older Persons on October 1 every year to recognize the contributions of older persons and to examine issues that affect their lives.

VATICAN RADIO – (Vatican Radio) Since the beginning of his papacy, Pope Francis has called for increased attention and care for the young and the old. For those who represent the future and the memory and experience of humanity.

One of his many quotes says our culture applies the ‘death penalty’ in the “hidden euthanasia of the elderly through neglect and maltreatment… a culture that “discards the elderly when, in fact, they are the seat of the wisdom of the people.”

2014 WEAAD EVENTS

Presidential Proclamation – World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, 2014

June 17, 2014: Webinar: Trabajando Junt@s para Ponerle Fin al Abuso contra los Adultos Mayores
Hora: 2pm-3:30pm (Hora Central)
El abuso a los ancianos o personas de la tercera edad es un problema común en nuestra sociedad pero del que poco se habla. Esto es particularmente difícil porque las víctimas/sobrevivientes de este tipo de abuso son casi siempre parte de una población invisible presente en todas las culturas, géneros, orientación sexual, estatus migratorio, etc. En este seminario web, la presentadora discutirá las necesidades específicas de Latin@s víctimas del abuso de ancianos, ya que esta población continúa estando poco representada en estudios y en la práctica diaria. La presentadora compartirá soluciones para resolver esta falta y ejemplos de colaboraciones exitosas para responder a este problema satisfactoriamente.
Presentadora: Heidi Notario, Casa de Esperanza.

June 26, 2014: Webinar: Working together to end Abuse in Later Life in Latin@ Communities.
Time: 2pm-3:30pm (Central)
Like all adult survivors of abuse, older adults have a complex set of circumstances and often poor options to consider. Older survivors may have additional needs requiring service providers to examine how they are currently delivering services and how their policies and practices may help or hinder an older survivor. During this webinar, the presenters will discuss how generational issues may influence survivors’ choices, especially within communities who have experienced historical trauma and oppression. They will explore some of the challenges experienced by Latin@ communities, including immigration. Finally, presents will discuss how the complexity of these situations often requires organizations and communities to work together in new and innovative ways to meet the needs of older survivors.
Presenters: Ann Turner, National Clearinghouse on Abuse in Later Life (NCALL) & Casa de Esperanza.

SELECTED RESOURCES

Administration for Community Living

As in past years, the Administration for Community Living (ACL), encourages individuals and organizations across our nation, states, and local communities to take a stand and to raise public awareness about elder abuse. As part of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day 2014, ACL is pleased to provide information, tools, and resources to support efforts to shed light on the importance of preventing, identifying, and responding to this serious, often hidden public health problem.

‘Remember, it only takes one individual, one action, to make a difference’.

Ageless Alliance

Ageless Alliance created an action kit including videos and documents to strengthen your stand against elder abuse. You are welcome to download and freely use these materials in your efforts to combat elder abuse.

National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA)

AoA’s NCEA website contains many resources to help you find assistance, publications, data, information, and answers about elder abuse. For information and ideas about World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, visit the World Elder Abuse Awareness Day section of the website.

VAWnet Special Collection: Preventing and Responding to Abuse in Later Life. This collection draws from the work of the National Clearinghouse on Abuse in Later Life (NCALL), National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC), National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA) and other organizations to highlight the complexities of older people’s DV/SV experiences and emphasizes collaborative and multi-pronged approaches to addressing DV/SV in later life.

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