Salute to senior citizens on World Elder Abuse Awareness Day

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) has been celebrated annually since its launch on June 15, 2006 by the International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse and the World Health Organization at the United Nations. WEAAD is an opportunity to promote a better understanding of abuse and neglect of older persons by raising awareness in communities. 

This year, according to the UN, WEAAD coincides with two important events: the start of the UN Decade of Healthy Ageing (2021-2030), and the 20th milestone of the Second World Assembly on Ageing and the fourth review and appraisal of the implementation of the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing (MIPAA). 

 
According to UN statistics, between 2019 and 2030, the number of persons aged 60 years or over is projected to grow by 38%, from 1 billion to 1.4 billion, globally exceeding the number of youth.

Elder abuse takes place in both developing and developed countries. Prevalence rates exist only in selected developed countries — ranging from 1% to 10%, UN statistics showed.  Although the extent of elder mistreatment is unknown, its social and moral impact is crystal clear.

Due to under-reporting, there are variations in the definition of elder abuse. The National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA) distinguishes between seven different types of elder abuse, including physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, financial exploitation, neglect, abandonment, and self-neglect.

According to the American Psychological Association (APA), the primary abusers of the elderly are adult children and other family members due to family stresses, both psychological and financial. Children who have experienced violence, whether as victims or witnesses, are more likely to have behavioral problems and later become perpetrators of violence themselves.

Preserving the rights of elders and protecting them from abuse, the UN General Assembly adopted Resolution No. 46/91 to preserve the right of elders to have access to adequate food, water, shelter, clothing and health care through the provision of income, family and community support, and self-help.

“Older persons should have access to social and legal services to enhance their autonomy, protection and care,” the resolution read.

The resolution also stresses that older persons are entitled to enjoy human rights, fundamental freedoms, dignity, security, and to be free of exploitation and physical or mental abuse.

NCEA emphasized that local, regional, and national communities have executed activities and initiatives to honor elders, highlight abuse issues, and enhance the spread of information to help prevent abuse.