Christmas campaign to stop elder abuse
19/11/2007
Southwark's Safeguarding Adults Partnership has launched a ‘Let’s protect them this Christmas’ campaign to bring people’s attention to the sad statistics around abuse of older people. In the UK four per cent of those aged 65 and over suffer from some form of abuse - which equates to 342,000 older people each year. And the abuse is often carried out by a member of their own family or someone close to them.
The term 'abuse' can cover a wide range of issues - from emotional or physical to financial mistreatment - and can occur in a person’s own home or somewhere they are cared for. The campaign asks people not to turn their back if they think someone is being abused and do something about it - not just at Christmas but all through the year.
Cllr David Noakes, Southwark Council’s executive member for health and adult care, said: “It’s a sad fact that some older people in the community are not living their lives free from violence and abuse. Nobody should be living their lives like this - and the vulnerable people in our community are no exception. As a council we are not turning our backs on this issue and we’re asking the community to do the same.
“There are a number of support services on hand for people who are experiencing abuse or who think someone they know might be a victim of abuse. The council has a helpline for anyone that wants to contact us - in confidence if need be.
“Christmas is a special time for many families but for those experiencing abuse it can be a frightening and lonely time. As the campaign suggests - let’s join together this Christmas and stop the abuse of older people in our community.”
For more information visit www.southwark.gov.uk, or call the duty social worker on 0845 600 1287, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. The out of hours team is 020 7525 5000.