"Tougher action needed to combat elder abuse"
16/10/2008
Reacting to the launch of a consultation on its 'No secrets' guidance on protecting vulnerable adults from abuse by the Department of Health, Lizzie McLennan, Senior Social Care Policy Officer, has accused the Government of not making the combating of elder abuse a priority.
“This consultation from the Department of Health is an acknowledgement that the current guidance-based system does not prevent abuse of older people, or encourage prosecution of abusers," she says. "All too often elder abuse is hidden and lack of legislation to protect vulnerable adults sends a message that preventing abuse is not a priority for the Government.
“The consultation will need to look closely at a number of issues including the limited funding and patchy provision of Adult Protection Committees and the lack of agreement on definitions of 'vulnerable adult' and 'abuse'. Ensuring older people can be protected when using social care as well as banks and financial agencies is also essential. “We don’t ever tolerate abuse of children, so we shouldn’t put up with abuse of older people either. Whether it is financial, physical, emotional or psychological, abuse of our older people must not be allowed to continue.”
SOURCE: Mature Times (UK)
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