World Elder Abuse Awareness Day
Published on 15 June 2022 09:12 AM
World Elder Abuse Awareness Day 2022 (WEAAD) is held on June 15th. It is observed by the United Nations on the same date each year.
What is elder abuse?
'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 type of violence constitutes a violation of human rights and includes physical, sexual, psychological, and emotional abuse; financial and material abuse; abandonment; neglect; and serious loss of dignity and respect.' World Health Organisation (WHO)
Access to Justice is this year's theme.
In many parts of the world elder abuse occurs with little recognition or response. Until recently, this serious social problem was hidden from the public view and considered mostly a private matter. Even today, elder abuse continues to be a taboo, mostly underestimated and ignored by societies across the world.
'Violence, abuse and neglect of older persons are the most hidden and underreported violations of human rights.
Not only are older persons at high risk of serious illness and mortality, but they continue to face disproportionate cases of age-based discrimination, stigmatization and subjected to multiple violations of human rights. In particular, the COVID-19 pandemic has shed light on reports of abuse and neglect of older persons, particularly in long-term care institutions and the community.
This year’s theme “Access to Justice” is a reminder of the importance to fully address the needs of older persons who may seek recourse.
Older persons who have experienced situations of violence, abuse and neglect often face multiple barriers in accessing judicial remedies such as issues of accessibility, affordability, reasonable accommodation, excessive delays and backlogs in judicial processes, the impact of digitalization, cultural norms, gender bias, discrimination, and entrenched ageism in policy, norms and practices.
Access to Justice impacts older persons’ ability to fully exercise all their human rights including the right to health, adequate social protection and to live in dignity. The preservation or restoration of dignity and respect for older persons is crucial in such situations.'
United Nations - DESA