Richard Bay seniors equipped to tackle abuse
Elder abuse under the spotlight at Richards Bay Senior Citizens Club gathering
RICHARDS Bay Senior Citizens Club members received information on how to respond to domestic violence and abuse during an elder abuse awareness programme.
The event, hosted by community worker and Democratic Alliance Women’s Network (DAWN) representative Sharon Naidoo, in partnership with the Richards Bay police and LifeLine Zululand, offered the elderly guidelines on how to identify abuse and which channels to follow if they are victims.
Richards Bay SAPS Communications Officer, Captain Debbie Ferreira, advised senior citizens to report any type of abuse, even if the perpetrators are relatives.
‘Abuse of elders is unacceptable and while the effects of physical abuse can sometimes be evident, the impact of verbal abuse cannot be seen and it bears immense scars on the victim’s emotional state.
‘If a pensioner is being abused they can open a criminal charge and apply for a protection order which will protect them against harm in the future,’ she said.
Naidoo said although physical violence is often assumed to be the most extreme form of abuse, psychological and mental battering are far more damaging and the long-term.
‘Parental abuse is becoming a major concern and it saddens me that we have come so far as a nation, but choose to ignore the statistics of parental abuse happening in our own communities.
‘Abuse cannot be justified by any means. Each and every person in an abusive relationship needs help,’ she said.
