June 15 marks World Elder Abuse Day. It’s a day that seeks to highlight the abuse of senior citizens across the world including the different parts of the West Rand.
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The World Health Organisation has described that elder abuse is a single or repeated act, or lack of appropriate action, occurring within any relationship where there is an expectation of trust which causes harm or distress to an older person.
According to the United Nations Population Fund older persons in South Africa experience a substantial risk of exposure to physical and property violence in their homes. They also face financial abuse, including extortion of pensions and property theft is prevalent.
The fund also said that over 90% of this is perpetrated by a family member. Furthermore, alcohol and drug use among unemployed adults and youth are related to the incidence of crime and older adults’ fear of violence.
The Gauteng Department of Social Development’s Teddy Gomba outlined some of the challenges that elderly citizens experience.
“Against the background of the historical disadvantages and the multicultural nature of the South African population, this definition is sometimes considered too narrow.
There exist unique categories of abuse not usually found in developed countries. These include loss of respect for elders and systemic abuse, which refers to dehumanising treatment at public institutions.
“There are also problems with allegations of witchcraft, mainly against elderly black women, and as a result of the accusations their property can be confiscated, and they can be assaulted or even burnt.
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“Another concerning tendency is particularly violent forms of abuse, specifically rape of older women by sons or grandsons to extort pension money. These acts tend to be concealed and are often not seen as rape in the communities, because the abuse is perpetrated within the family. To make the matter worse the Gauteng Elder Persons Forum said most of the criminal cases opened by senior citizens against families are withdrawn by the victims before going to court.
Older persons are afraid to speak out and report incidents of elder abuse for several reasons,” said Gomba, who added that the fear of recrimination, further abuse by the perpetrator, and often the unwillingness of the police to take charge are some of the reasons.
