Elder Abuse: We All Have a Role to Play (Wales, UK)

‘We all have a role to play protecting the vulnerable’
May 26 2008

by Our Correspondent, Western Mail
Deputy Minister for Social Services Gwenda Thomas explores how we can all make a difference and overcome the challenge of elderly abuse
As with anything, the first step towards tackling a problem is to recognise that the problem exists. Like child abuse, or domestic abuse, it is only when we face up to the realities that we can do something about it.

In recent years there has been a growing awareness and better understanding of the abuse of older and vulnerable people, although it should be acknowledged that systematic and structured approaches across Wales to address this are still at a relatively early stage of development when compared to the arrangements that exist for child abuse.

I know that all too often older people and their families may not be fully aware of arrangements that exist to protect vulnerable adults and of the help and support that can be available.

Tackling adult abuse is not just a matter for the Welsh Assembly Government, service providers, statutory authorities, regulatory bodies or the police to deal with. All citizens and organisations have a role to play in protecting vulnerable adults from abuse whenever and wherever it occurs.

I know too that the Commissioner for Older People has a particular interest in protecting older people from abuse as she recently addressed an Elder Abuse Seminar organised by Age Concern Cymru. The Welsh Assembly Government’s own focus has to be those areas falling within our devolved powers and responsibilities.

We have also actively supported the UK Government in developing and implementing non-devolved measures such as the establishment of the list of people who are unsuitable to work with vulnerable adults and accordingly banned from such work.

However, we will not be complacent in fulfilling our adult protection responsibilities. Earlier this year, I established an Adult Protection Project Board to consider and report on the effectiveness of our adult protection policies to ensure that they are appropriate and robust.
I shall report on the outcome of the work of this group when its tasks have been completed.

Abridged
SOURCE: ICWalesNews
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