PRESS RELEASE
Brussels, 15 June 2006
1ST WORLD ELDER ABUSE AWARENESSESS DAY 2006:
My World,…Your World… Our World – Free of Elder Abuse
AGE- The European Older People’s Platform welcomes the 1st World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, 15 June 2006 launched by the International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse (INPEA), which highlights the abuse and neglect of older persons around the World. AGE calls for action from national and European policy makers to raise awareness of and eradicate elder abuse and neglect, which currently often goes unchallenged or even unidentified.
The day is in support of the United Nations International Plan of Action which recognises the significance of elder abuse as public health and a human rights issue. INPEA official’s statement to mark the day reflects the abuse of older persons and the need to people to understand what elder abuse is and how it can be prevented as well as initiatives around the world to reach this goal.
"In the European context, it is imperative that national and European policy makers take action to ensure that studies are carried out to investigate the prevalence of elder abuse in the European Union, draw concrete measures to tackle it and ensure the exchange of good practices" said Barbro Westerholm, Vice- President of AGE.
The most widely accepted definition of Elder abuse is mentioned on the so called "Toronto-Declaration" (2002) on which the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse (INPEA) have agreed upon:
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. This abuse can be translated into various forms: physical, psychological/emotional, sexual, financial or simply reflect intentional or unintentional neglect.
AGE strongly supports the INPEAs initiative to proclaim June 15, 2006 the World Elder Abuse Awareness Day and calls for actions from Member States to support the following strategies:
Empowerment of older Persons
To enable older adults to act for themselves and on their own behalf. To enable older adults to advocate their rights and advocate their own interests.
Awareness
To ensure that the general population is aware that elder abuse happens and is a problem. Older adults need to be aware of the problem and of their rights, as well as available services and resources.
Education
To educate people to perceive older people more favourably as positive contributors to society. To educate and train people including professionals providing care to older people, to recognise and act when they suspect abuse.
Intergenerational Relationship
This is linked to awareness raising and education, and it emphasises the need to encourage closer and positive contact between generations and to foster positive attitudes among the youth. The social isolation and neglect of older people needs to be broken, though intergenerational relationships, among others.
AGE is committed to helping bring recognition and ultimately to eradicate elder abuse and neglect. To mark this day and nurture further discussions AGE – the European older People’s Platform is also co-organising two events at the EU Institutions (see below).
ENDS
14th June 2006 from 14:30 – 15:30 European Parliament, Room S3.5 Strasbourg, France – World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, chaired by Ms Liz Lynne., MEP, Co-president of the European Parliament Intergroup on Ageing
Speakers:
-Elder Abuse and the DAPHNE programme by Ingrid Bellander-Todino, European Commission
-Information on the "I Will" campaign on Elder Abuse by Rachel Childs, Policy Officer for Community Health and Social Care, Help the Aged, UK
28th June 2006 from 10:00 – 12:30 Committee of Regions, Room BEL 52, Rue Belliard 101 Brussels, Belgium – Local and Regional Initiatives in Preventing Violence against Older People chaired by Lambert van Nistelrooij, MEP, co-president of the European Parliament, Intergroup on Ageing
Speakers:
-Combating Elder abuse: the role of regional and local authorities by Gerhard Stahl, Secretary General, Committee of the Regions
-Report on the Strasbourg Intergroup on Ageing on Elder Abuse by Liz Lynne, MEP, Co-president of the Intergroup on Ageing
-Statement from Commissioner Spidla, by Jan Jarab, Member of the Cabinet, Directorate General for Employment, Social affairs and Equal Opportunities, European Commission
-Combating Elder Abuse:
The example of Sweden by Barbro Westerholm, Vice –President, AGE
The example of the Netherlands, Theo Royers, NIZW
The example of Lithuania, Nijole Arbaciauskienne, AGE Council MEmber
More information about INPEA: