Elder Abuse: Let Us Not Forget the 'Silent Majority' (International)

The Forgotten Majority
By Andrew C

We have been, and are still receiving an ‘avalanche’ of reports on Financial Elder Abuse.

Let us not lose sight of those who have been or are still been abused in the privacy of their own home. Many of these cases, I’m referring to here, are NOT reported.
Those reasons can range from ‘not wanting to sever relationship with a son, daughter’ to a sense of powerlessness.

These are the ‘voiceless’ who deserve our attention.

Yes, there are many other ‘pressing issues’ that we all are facing, at the moment. But let us not forget the ‘silent majority’ in the unsavory business of elder abuse.

Firstly, I would like to make a quiet plea for more to be done, in helping victims of Elder Abuse in their own home. That is, those who have been abused by family members or trusted home-carers.

In many of such cases, the victims have less rights and assistance than abused animals.

My own experience - There was no one I could report to or get assistance for a victim.
If that victim was an animal, I could ring up the RSPCA and expect to get action and help.

Is this not ridiculous? Many countries have yet to enact laws to protect victims of this type of elder abuse.

It is against the law to abuse an animal, but not if one abuse one's parent.

Admittedly, these cases are often complex, even for experts in law enforcement agencies, gerontologists, psychologists and other interested professionals. Let us not allow this to deter us from acting in the prevention of this sort of elder abuse.

Secondly, something must be in place to Prevent this injustice done to vulnerable seniors.

According to various researches and reports; people are living much longer. What you help to put in place now, to ensure safety from elder abuse; may one day be used to assist you.

Let us not be complacent.

Elder Abuse is violation of human rights. For those who try to cite family dynamics as an excuse. Think again. There can be NO justification for elder abuse.

Let the message be clear to all. Elder Abuse is not acceptable in any language or form.

------------------------------------------------------

More Recent Posts from Spotlight on Elder Abuse