PANAJI: More than one-fifth of the elderly, i.e. 23 per cent, say they have experienced abuse, with a majority of them not reporting it fearing backlash from their family, says a report released on the eve of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day.

The report titled “Elder Abuse in India” was released by Help Age India, a leading charitable organisation working with older people in India for 35 years, and revealed some disturbing findings about the state of elders in the country.

In Goa, copies of the report were released on Friday by Dattaprasad M. Pawaskar, Manager, Goa and Sindhudurg Help Age India. Mr. Pawaskar said that awareness of the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007 as a grievance redressal mechanism continued to be woefully poor.

More than four-fifths of the elderly live with their family. A majority of elders say they have faced ill-treatment at the hands of their sons or daughters-in-law, with figures standing at 38 and 39 per cent respectively. An alarming 39 per cent of the elderly abused faced physical abuse in the form of beating or slapping. Shockingly, 70 per cent of those abused did not report the matter, stating the importance of confidentiality of family matters and the fear or retaliation as major reasons.

Tier I and tier II cities

Madurai and Kanpur have recorded the highest levels of elder abuse, at 63 per cent and 60 per cent respectively. Among tier I cities, Hyderabad emerged with the highest rate of elder abuse (37.5 per cent), followed by Kolkata, Delhi, Mumbai and Chennai.

“This year Help Age India covered tier I and tier II cities, to understand the extent of abuse and the measures required to counter it,” said Mr. Pawaskar.

Around 70 per cent of the elderly were aware of the police helpline, while 17.67 per cent knew about the Help Age India Elder Helpline. Only 11 per cent were aware of the Senior Citizens Act.

Lack of adjustment, economic dependence of the abused and increasing longevity were the major reasons cited by the elderly for the prevalence of elder abuse. The most effective mechanisms suggested by the elderly to deal with elder abuse included sensitising children, strengthening inter-generational bonding and increasing economic independence.

Goa

In Goa, 13 per cent of elders reported abuse. Of this, 27 per cent faced physical abuse. Verbal abuse was the main form of abuse followed by disrespect and neglect. A shocking 74 per cent did not report being abused, primarily because they wanted to keep family matters confidential. Regarding awareness about redressal mechanisms, most elders (68 per cent) knew the police helpline, while one-fourth were aware of the Help Age India helpline. Only 9 per cent were aware of the Senior Citizens Act.

The HUG campaign

Help Age recently launched its HUG (Help Unite Generations) campaign with the aim to sensitise young children and adults. The campaign urges the young to spend time with the elderly, find an elder friend and enrich both their and the elders’ life.

“Help Age believes if the bonding between generations is strengthened and sensitivity among children and young adults is increased, it can go a long way in tackling elder abuse,” said Mr. Pawaskar.

Source: The Hindu, DT. June 15, 2013.