.
NEW DELHI / HelpAge India / World Elder Abuse Awareness Day / June 16, 2009
One of India's most outspoken advocates for social justice, and the country's first and highest ranking woman police officer, Dr. Kiran Bedi, today took up yet another public cause with an energetic call for action to combat Elder Abuse.
On “World Elder Abuse Awareness Day 2009” Dr. Kiran Bedi calls for concerted, joint action to fight elder abuse. With her at Dr. Shyamlha Pappu and Mr. M. M. Sabharwal.
“We need to form an effective core group for action to protect vulnerable senior citizens. This group should involve younger Senior citizens to keep a tab on formation and implementation of official policies. We need to do it together, along with HelpAge. There is no standard operation procedure. It must be drafted and presented to police headquarters so that it gets down to the police training level and finally implementation,” said Dr. Bedi.
The occasion was a programme to raise public awareness about elder abuse, hosted by HelpAge India to mark the 2009 World Elder Abuse Awareness Day.
Dr. Kiran Bedi signs her support.
Dr. Kiran Bedi, chief guest, signed in her support and wore the “Say No to Elder Abuse” badge.
Although Delhi Police had made public declarations about launching a special protection scheme for senior citizens as far back as in 2002, she was aware little had been done. She spoke of harassment of seniors by their own kin over money and property, and urged the elderly "not to will your WILL away during your lifetimes." "Make the will but don’t tell your children or inheritors during your lifetime. Keep it safely. Let it be opened only after your death. Keep them guessing,” she counselled.
Providing legal expertise to the silver haired audience present was Dr. Shyamlha Pappu, noted Senior Advocate of the Supreme Court & Member of Law Commission of India.
“If you see injustice, don’t wait or take it to the High court. Take action yourselves. There is strength in numbers. There are nearly 30 million pending legal cases in the judiciary, it’s a long wait. Children these days do not have time for you. They are busy with their own lives," said Dr. Pappu.
Dr. Pappu cited an example of a senior citizen she knew who was on wheel chair, who had a trustworthy servant of 12 years, who one day hit her, then tied her up, stole her valuables and absconded. Secure homes could help seniors.
Octogenarian Mr. M .M. Sabharwal, President Emeritus, HelpAge India, emphasised that active, agile seniors can take care of themselves. “As you advance in age you become dependent, Dependence becomes a burden”.
The highest number of cases reported on HelpAge India's Helpline for Senior Citizens in Delhi (1800-180-1253) are related to abuse and harassment regarding matters of property or related to money. In most cases the elderly are victims of their own siblings. Delhi has the country's highest incidence of crime against the elderly.
Giving the police perspective was Additional DCP (General Administration) S. K. Sinha. “This is definitely the most challenging task I have faced. In 2004 about 4500 senior citizens were registered with Delhi Police. Today it is nearly 8500.”
But crime is not the only form of abuse. Elder abuse can be physical, emotional, psychological, verbal, financial, sexual. An older person could be intentionally mistreated, or neglected by someone they trust. Often the abuse starts at one's own home. Fear of family shame, continuous harassment and dependence on the abuser often prevents the issue from going beyond the four walls.
“Abuse against the elderly symbolises their physical and economic vulnerability. We cannot only fight abuse against the elderly without tackling the physical and financial vulnerability” says Mr. Kapil Kaul, Country Head - Advocacy Resource & Communications, HelpAge India. [
rc]
Report by
Seniors World Chronicle
based on material from HelpAge India
On “World Elder Abuse Awareness Day 2009” Dr. Kiran Bedi calls for concerted, joint action to fight elder abuse. With her at Dr. Shyamlha Pappu and Mr. M. M. Sabharwal.
“We need to form an effective core group for action to protect vulnerable senior citizens. This group should involve younger Senior citizens to keep a tab on formation and implementation of official policies. We need to do it together, along with HelpAge. There is no standard operation procedure. It must be drafted and presented to police headquarters so that it gets down to the police training level and finally implementation,” said Dr. Bedi.
The occasion was a programme to raise public awareness about elder abuse, hosted by HelpAge India to mark the 2009 World Elder Abuse Awareness Day.
Dr. Kiran Bedi signs her support.
Dr. Kiran Bedi, chief guest, signed in her support and wore the “Say No to Elder Abuse” badge.
Although Delhi Police had made public declarations about launching a special protection scheme for senior citizens as far back as in 2002, she was aware little had been done. She spoke of harassment of seniors by their own kin over money and property, and urged the elderly "not to will your WILL away during your lifetimes." "Make the will but don’t tell your children or inheritors during your lifetime. Keep it safely. Let it be opened only after your death. Keep them guessing,” she counselled.
Providing legal expertise to the silver haired audience present was Dr. Shyamlha Pappu, noted Senior Advocate of the Supreme Court & Member of Law Commission of India.
“If you see injustice, don’t wait or take it to the High court. Take action yourselves. There is strength in numbers. There are nearly 30 million pending legal cases in the judiciary, it’s a long wait. Children these days do not have time for you. They are busy with their own lives," said Dr. Pappu.
Dr. Pappu cited an example of a senior citizen she knew who was on wheel chair, who had a trustworthy servant of 12 years, who one day hit her, then tied her up, stole her valuables and absconded. Secure homes could help seniors.
Octogenarian Mr. M .M. Sabharwal, President Emeritus, HelpAge India, emphasised that active, agile seniors can take care of themselves. “As you advance in age you become dependent, Dependence becomes a burden”.
The highest number of cases reported on HelpAge India's Helpline for Senior Citizens in Delhi (1800-180-1253) are related to abuse and harassment regarding matters of property or related to money. In most cases the elderly are victims of their own siblings. Delhi has the country's highest incidence of crime against the elderly.
Giving the police perspective was Additional DCP (General Administration) S. K. Sinha. “This is definitely the most challenging task I have faced. In 2004 about 4500 senior citizens were registered with Delhi Police. Today it is nearly 8500.”
But crime is not the only form of abuse. Elder abuse can be physical, emotional, psychological, verbal, financial, sexual. An older person could be intentionally mistreated, or neglected by someone they trust. Often the abuse starts at one's own home. Fear of family shame, continuous harassment and dependence on the abuser often prevents the issue from going beyond the four walls.
“Abuse against the elderly symbolises their physical and economic vulnerability. We cannot only fight abuse against the elderly without tackling the physical and financial vulnerability” says Mr. Kapil Kaul, Country Head - Advocacy Resource & Communications, HelpAge India. [rc]
Report by Seniors World Chronicle
based on material from HelpAge India
