• World Elder Abuse Awareness Day - June 15^th, 2006
• City of Ottawa Proclamation - Elder Abuse Awareness Day
• Day Set for Awareness of Elder Abuse
• Ottawa Police Launch Elder Abuse Unit
• Commemorate World Elder Abuse Awareness Day

On June 15^th, 2006, governments, non-governmental organizations, educational institutions, religious groups and individuals throughout the world organized observances of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. This special day intended to give abuse and neglect of older adults a global relevance that will sustain and move prevention efforts forward throughout the whole year and years to come.

• In 2001 in Ottawa there were 89,000 people aged 65 years and older
• 4 - 13% of seniors in Canada are abused
• 68% of seniors who are physically abused report that they were assaulted by a family member
• Female seniors (38%) are more likely to be abused than male seniors (18%)

The prevention, detection, and eradication of elder abuse are social human rights and health problems that affect us all. The Council on Aging of Ottawa is asking for your support in promoting World Elder Abuse Awareness Day.

This is now the common date for the World Elder Abuse Awareness Day.

Across Canada, in rural regions, urban areas, private residences and public establishments, older adults can be mistreated. To raise awareness of this problem, June 15 has been designated as World Elder Abuse Awareness Day.

This day of awareness is a great opportunity to educate people on how elders in the community are being subject to different forms of elder abuse, such as financial exploitation, psychological abuse and neglect, among others.

Canada's Department of Justice defines elder abuse as "violence, mistreatment or neglect that older adults living in either private residences or institutions may experience at the hands of their spouses, children, other family members, caregivers, service providers or other individuals in situations of power or trust."

Often, the perpetrator of abuse is well known to the elder victim and often, more than one form of abuse is apparent.

Identifying abuse isn't easy. Raising the awareness regarding this issue offers better knowledge to service providers who work with elders as well as the general public by providing adequate tools to identify and report elder abuse and improve the living conditions of elders.

Some indicators may suggest potential abuse, such as: unusual bank transactions and account balance, unexplained difficulties in paying bills, gaps between the known income and the actual standards of living, depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, fear of caregiver, isolation, difficulty contacting the elder, change in weight, unexplained injuries/bruises or explanations not plausible, bedsores, over or under medicated and unkempt appearance.

If an elder reports abuse, be receptive, believe them, listen to the facts and encourage them to explore the options available to them. Support them in their decision making by respecting their final decisions. If you suspect abuse, engage the elder in discussions and keep open lines of communication. Express your concerns and encourage the elder to confide in you with trust. Listen and be supportive.

To learn more about the resources available to elders facing abusive treatment, contact the elder abuse counselling services at the Eastern Ottawa Resource Center at 741-6025 (ext. 124) or visit the centre at 2339 Ogilvie Rd. on June 15 between 9 a.m. and 12 noon.

In early 2005, a new unit was implemented within the Sexual Assault & Child Abuse (SACA) section of the Ottawa Police Service in order to address elder abuse. However we have not implemented the unit in a vacuum. We have been active in the community for more than two years, trying to determine the needs. We have partnerships with community service providers including The Council on Aging of Ottawa, the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care and the City of Ottawa Seniors' Agenda.

Elder abuse is action or inaction by any person to cause harm to an older or vulnerable person including physical, sexual, financial or psychological abuse. The Criminal Code does not differentiate between seniors and other victims of crime, so charges must still meet the criminal definitions of assault, sexual assault, theft, fraud and related offences.

We are aware of the dynamics of incidents of elder abuse and recognize that the criminal justice system is not always the best solution. We are working with our community partners to try to find viable solutions to complex and sometimes emotional situations. The Elder Abuse Unit has the support of the Victim Crisis Unit which has access to 6 full time mental health consultants and a range of community services.

We have been maintaining statistics on reported incidents but also recognize that elder abuse is very much a hidden crime and are working with service providers and members of the community to encourage reporting. We are analyzing the information contained in the reports so that we can provide proactive educational information to identify areas of concern. Since the unit's inception, there have been 50 reports that have led to 9 charges.

We expect to add another member to the unit in early 2006. This will assist our educational mandate.

If you have questions or concerns, please feel free to contact:

Host a ceremony that symbolizes life, wellbeing and dignity for older adults.

Sponsor a lecture, debate, speech or presentation on ways to prevent abuse and neglect in later life. Many other topics are possible. For example, it may include:

• how we respond to abuse in later life;
• "good practices" for working together effectively and problem solving;
• emerging challenges;
• making laws work;
• diversity and abuse;
• how to reduce the prevalence of abuse and neglect in later life (strengthening norms against abuse and neglect in later life);
• what is needed from the global community to move progress towards eliminating violence against older adults.

Possible sources for speakers include:

• non-governmental and governmental organizations working for awareness and prevention of abuse in later life;
• community leaders;
• ethnic and multicultural group representatives;
• educators at community colleges and universities;
• labour unions or professional associations;
• faith organizations.

And if people seem to be unaware of the issues, invite them to join your lecture or debate as an opportunity to learn.

Here are some examples of slogans that communities in different parts of the world have developed and use:

• "Abuse Hurts at Any Age." (Virginia Coalition for the Prevention of Elder Abuse)
• "The golden years should not be black and blue!"
• "Respect is better than food and water." (Lebanon Elder, Missing Voices, WHO/INPEA 2002)
• "The Golden years make some people blue. Neglect is a form of elder abuse!" (Aging and Independent Services, San Diego County, California, USA)
• "Together we can prevent abuse of older persons. United, all ages, against mistreatment." (translated from a French slogan)

(Taken from World Elder Abuse Day training Kit)