Reporting Elder Abuse - A Cautionary Note

By Andrew C

The case of a nurse (UK) who was de-registered because she secretly filmed neglect and elder abuse in a nursing home for the BBC Panoramic program; brought back memories of the stories received.

Unfair Treatment of Reporters of Elder Abuse

 

It is most disturbing that reporters of elder abuse cases to authorities in various countries, often resulted in the reporters themselves been investigated! Motives are questioned.

Why? May be it is easier for authorities to suspect the motive of the reporter than to investigate the reported case.

I was given details of a few cases, where the reporters of elder abuse have been suspected of ‘unsavory motive’ and investigated. One was dismissed from his job for ‘other reasons’.

My own experience with reporting the Frank Punito Case; brought accusations of ‘hidden agenda, lies and deceit’. Instead of looking carefully into the case, they ‘shot the messenger’.  May be it was easier to believe that the reporter had ulterior motives than to accept that the abusers did what they did in that case.

It is NOT encouraging for any potential ‘whistle-blowers’ or reporters of Elder Abuse; when they come to know how reporters of elder abuse are treated.

Reporters need support NOT investigation into our motives, or be punished.

If the government or other organizations were genuine about their various programs to prevent and to stop elder abuse; they should ensure that reporters are not punished.

How else can one get evidence of abuse or neglect; if not secretly gathering evidence? Give the abusers a yellow card as a warning?

Perhaps, the message that the Nursing Council in UK in the Ms Haywood’s case is:  ‘Look the other way, if you discover elder abuse or neglect’ Or,

‘Be prepared for investigations or deregistration’.

Preventing and stopping elder abuse – REPORTERS BEWARE.

A reporter of elder abuse should:

•  Be prepared for false accusations of your ‘hidden agenda’;
  
• Be convinced that what you are going to do, is to highlight an injustice/violation of human rights and that hopefully, what happened to the ‘victim(s) will not be repeated. Or, that you can help stop the abuse of the friend, neighbor or family member.
  
• Gather evidence with care. 
• Ensure that you have the permission of the ‘victim’.
• Hard evidence – e.g. photographs, videos and documents will go a long way in supporting your case.
  
•  Ensure you have some sort of support from family, friends or elder rights advocates. Do not try without support, the process of reporting elder abuse will wear you out emotionally, or even financially.

(Please note that the above list is not exhaustive.  They came from my own experience - use them at your own discretion)

GoGood Luck!

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