PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - Various stakeholders came together to take a stand against the abuse of Bitou's elderly community as part of a global initiative.
To ensure that the local community knows what to keep their eyes peeled for when it comes to the abuse of elderly citizens, Age-in-Action – a developmental organisation that strives to uphold the rights and dignity of older persons – joined hands with various other local stakeholders to do a door-to-door campaign in Plettenberg Bay and surrounds on 22 June.
Bitou Municipality's communications team said 46 volunteers divided into groups and then walked the streets and spoke to young and old about the issues some elderly residents are plagued with.
They also handed out information pamphlets and took reports of elder abuse.
"All reports of abuse received during this day will be followed up and the older persons will be empowered to better their situations at home," the team said.
The Age-in-Action team also thanked role players, including local police, the Bitou Youth Crime Prevention Desk, the organisation Building the Walls, Bitou Municipality, Bitou Elderly and Disabled Forum, local neighbourhood watch groups, Hospice, New Horizon Library, and the New Horizon Pensioners Club.
This campaign went hand in hand with World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) which was launched in June 2015 by the International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse and the World Health Organisation (WHO).
The purpose of WEAAD is to provide an opportunity for communities around the world to promote a better understanding of abuse and neglect of older people by raising awareness.
It is estimated that only 4% of elder abuse is reported. Studies have revealed that this may be due to the victims feeling that they could be victimised further by the abusers, victims not being mentally able to report, not wanting the abuser to get into trouble or feeling ashamed and embarrassed.
"Due to this, the community needs to stand up to elder abuse and report any situations that they know of," the team said.
Should anyone know about elder abuse taking place, they can contact Age-in-Action on 044 874 2936 or nadia@age-in-action.co.za.
Volunteers getting ready to talk to the Bitou community about abuse of elderly residents.
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