July 21, 2010
Awareness about laws, policies and programmes of the government against elder abuse is low among the elderly in the country as only 33 per cent ...
BY JOAO SOUSA M
NT NETWORK
PANAJI: Awareness about laws, policies and programmes of the government against elder abuse is low among the elderly in the country as only 33 per cent of the elderly are aware of the existing laws and programmes against elder abuse, states a study report on elder abuse in India carried out by Helpage India.
The study, however, points out that among the elderly who are aware of the laws, policies and programmes, almost 88 per cent are aware of the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, while 56 per cent of the elderly are aware of the national policy on older persons, 67 per cent are aware of the Protection for Women against Domestic Violence Act.
The study says that awareness about the law enforcing agencies is low as only 18 per cent of the elderly are aware of the laws as close to 38 per cent of the elderly perceive the role of police and lawyers as non-supportive in tackling abuse.
The study titled ‘Report on elder abuse in India’ was carried out across the country by Helpage India through Sigma Research and Consulting. It further states that around 26 per cent of the elderly did not know about the role of the law enforcing agencies in controlling elder abuse with more than 27 per cent of the elderly are of the view that the police are not equipped to handle cases of elder abuse. The major measures to be taken up by the law enforcing agencies, as suggested by the elderly, include ‘giving protection’ and ‘carrying out home visits’. The elderly also suggested that the police should assist them in getting maintenance from the children under the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, the study states.
‘Having steady cash flow’, ‘making adjustments within family’ and ‘having own property to reduce economic dependency’ are some other measures suggested by the elderly to control elder abuse.
Speaking to The Navhind Times, the director of Helpage India, Mr Dattaprasad Pawaskar said the scene in the state is no exception and there is a relatively higher elder abuse in Goa and the figures are quite similar to that in the national survey.
SOURCE: GOA NEWS
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