Sometimes people know or suspect that a friend, family member, neighbour or acquaintance is being mistreated or abused and they are not sure what to do. They worry about getting involved, not saying the right thing or wrongly identifying the situation. Please note:

If you know or suspect someone is being abused, make the effort to reach out to the person and talk to them.

Ask the advice of someone you trust who might know where to get the kind of help the adult needs. If a person does tell you that they are being abused you should:

• BELIEVE the person. Do not question what they are telling you. You may be the very first person that has ever been entrusted with this information. It may be hard to understand what is going on especially if the perpetrator is a nice person to you or someone you know.

• DO NOT JUDGE the person. Listen to what they are saying to you. Do not express pity or tell them what to do. Tell them you care about them and offer them a level of support that you feel comfortable providing and know that you can provide on an ongoing basis.

• DO NOT PROMISE them things you know you cannot do or do not feel comfortable doing.

• EDUCATE YOURSELF on resources available to older persons who are being abused. You can do this by calling your local community information centre, community care access centre, community support agency, talking to your own doctor, your lawyer or searching the internet for Ontario resources and/or information.

• DO NOT DENY WHAT IS GOING ON. If you choose to deny what is going on or do not listen to a person, this will serve to isolate the person who is being abused even further.

• Understand that MAKING EFFORTS TO CHANGE an abusive relationship IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT. A person who is being abused can be very afraid and not certain what to do. It can take a very long time for people to decide to make a change in their lives, to reach out for help or  even to talk about their situation.

• ALLOW ABUSED OLDER PEOPLE to make their own decisions and TO TAKE CONTROL BACK of their lives at their own pace.

• ENCOURAGE the person to seek help and assistance. Offer to help them find the right place to turn to if this is something you are prepared and able to do.

• DO NOT CONFRONT THE PERPETRATOR YOURSELF. This could put you and/or the person who is being abused in trouble.

Even if seniors are being abused at home, many would prefer to stay in their own homes or to continue to live with relatives instead of moving into a care home (retirement home) or long-term care home. These seniors and their relatives need help to deal with the abuse in the home.

Anyone involved in an abusive situation may obtain information and assistance from a physician, police officer, lawyer, banker, seniors’ centres, home support programs, public health department or community health centres. Starting points include:

This program helps to counter, heal and prevent elder abuse in the City of Ottawa. They offer front line programs to help support older adults who are being victimized.

Programs include information and referral; housing loss prevention and housing help; crisis counselling; employment counselling for experienced mature workers; seniors social and health programming; prevention of elder abuse; all women’s social groups; English Second Language programs; rural outreach; bereavement symposiums; women’s health fairs; multi-cultural and immigrant support services; home management services; volunteer hospice support for terminally ill. All services in English.

The three family service agencies in Ottawa are collaborating to offer confidential, professional counselling to seniors who are involved in an abusive situation. For assistance, contact:

There are many services that can play a role in helping victims of abuse and their families. Staff and volunteers of agencies that provide professional services, community support services, homemaking, and personal support services should know how to recognize elder abuse. They should also know what options and resources are available in their community to help seniors deal with all types of abuse, including in information on preventing abuse. These services can:

• Help seniors become more independent, particularly from their abusers

• Provide options to older people who are socially isolated

• Help to lessen the stress between the caregiver and the older person

• Make referrals to special services that help the abuser deal with aggression, anti-social behaviour, or drug and alcohol abuse, and

• Support the senior who wants to maintain a relationship with their abuser.

See Help for Seniors for more information.

If you have been abused, or if you think someone else is being abused,  just  "tell the police". Even if you think the incident is not very significant, or you believe you gave the abuser a reason to abuse you, calling the police is an important part of protecting yourself and being a good neighbour.

When you call the police, the police operator will take as much information as is necessary to be able to send the police.

The police might ask for your telephone number and name so that they can get more information from you in the future, or to check some facts. The police can investigate the report. The investigation might include:

• A detailed signed statement from the victim
• Statements from neighbours, other family members, or service providers who might have evidence
• Photographs of any injuries
• A medical report
• Statements from anyone who knows about previous abuse (for example, hospital staff) , or
• Any other relevant evidence.

If the police believe that a crime has been committed, they can lay charges. The police are encouraged to lay charges instead of advising victims to go through the steps on their own. Some victims of elder abuse may not be physically or mentally capable of taking the initiative to charge their abuser. Some victims are more likely to support the prosecution of their abuser if they are not personally responsible for the arrest.

Victims who are concerned about what will happen to their abuser can ask the police for information on the law and the criminal justice system. This might help the victim to be more willing to co-operate with the police.

Victims of elder abuse who are asked to testify in court may be able to get help and support from a lawyer or from the Victim/Witness Assistance Programme run by the court. They can ask the police to help them get in touch with the Victim/Witness Assistance Programme if it is available in their area. In Eastern Ontario, call 613-239-0392 for information about the Victim/Witness Assistance Program.

In Ottawa, similar services are offered by Victim Assistance Services of Ottawa-Carleton (VASOC), at 613-238-2762.

Elder abuse is a complex problem that requires many responses, depending on the type of abuse.

Here are two responses:

1. There is a need for service providers to look at how individual agencies and programs may be adapted to respond effectively to the needs of older people. Although a particular program may not have a special mandate to deal with elder abuse, it may be exactly what the victim needs to help address the abuse.

The Long-Term Care Act requires Community Care Access Centres (CCACs) to have a plan to deal with abuse. Community agencies that provide services through CCACs are also required to have a plan. The plan will involve preventing, recognizing, and addressing physical, mental, and financial abuse of the people who receive these services. The plan must also include the training and education of both staff and volunteers.

2. Some people feel that a special provincial law should be made to require reporting elder abuse. However, a special law may be more harmful than helpful. Special laws can give the impression that resources and services exist to help victims. In fact, services may not exist or there may not be enough resources to meet a victim’s needs.

Special laws do little to prevent abuse. It is better to promote a clearer understanding of existing laws and services, and how to use them effectively.

The International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse (INPEA)  announced the 1st Annual
World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) on

June 15, 2006.

Communities and municipalities made proclamations declaring June 15, 2006 as World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) and held events designed to raise their communities’ awareness of elder abuse.  The day was in support of  the  United  Nations  International Plan of Action which recognizes the significance  of  elder  abuse  as  a public health and human rights issue.

Governments,   non-governmental  organizations,  educational  institutions, religious   groups,   professionals  in  the  field  of  aging,  interested individuals  as  well  as  older  persons  themselves promoted a better understanding   of  abuse  and  neglect  of  older  persons  by  organizing activities  around  the  world  to raise awareness of the cultural, social, economic and demographic processes affecting elder abuse and neglect.

Throughout  the  world,  abuse  and  neglect  of  older  persons is largely under-recognized  or  treated  as  an  unspoken problem.  Unfortunately, no community or country in the world is immune from this costly, public health and   human  rights  crisis.   Research  indicates  that  public  education campaigns  like  World  Elder  Abuse  Awareness  Day  (WEAAD) are vital for informing  people  in  a  growing number of countries about elder abuse and active involvement of the media is central to its success.

It is estimated that at least four per cent of seniors are victims of elder abuse. The signs may not always be visible -- such as unexplained bruises or injuries. Potential signs include fear and uneasiness, depression, withdrawal or passivity, changes in hygiene, poor nutrition and unusual financial activity.

A candlelight vigil is held to remember those who have been victims of Elder Abuse. Elder abuse can take several forms: neglect, and/or physical, sexual, psychological or financial abuse.

It is hoped that by holding a candlelight vigil, participants will create awareness of the problem by shining light onto something often kept hidden.

The vigil will be silent. This will enable those participating to reflect on what elder abuse is about and be inspired to rise to the challenge to help combat elder abuse.

All ages can participate in this event. It would be ideal to have adults and children take part. The earlier people learn about elder abuse the better, so as they grow into adults they will be well aware of this crime.

There is no standard format for conducting a candlelight vigil; however you may wish to consider some of these key components when planning a vigil in your community:

• The Master of Ceremonies is a person designated to make sure the itinerary is conducted in an orderly fashion and communicated to the attendees.
• The Master of Ceremonies may wish to refer to the communications materials available in the Elder Abuse Awareness Day kits to prepare their speaking notes for the vigil.

___ Decide on date, time, and location of event

___ Book facilities/venue

___ Order candles

___ Contact other potential partners

___ Decide on Master of Ceremonies and itinerary

___ Contact program participants

___ Book sound system/audio (if required) and arrange for refreshments

        refreshments

___ Arrange for volunteers for candle lighting and distribution, candle

        extinguishers, photographer etc.

___ Distribute promotional materials

___ Print map of event location

___ Send out Media Release and Backgrounder

___ Reminder phone call to local media

___ Set up room (if required); test and confirm power to sound system and set out

        refreshments

___ Ensure Master of Ceremony is ready and confirms changes to itinerary/program

___ Get applicable permits

___ Guest speaker(s)

___ Volunteers distribute candles

___ Light first candle

___ Minute of silence

___ Write and send Thank You letters