http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=Q0FQLzIwMTEvMDYvMTUjQXIwMDcwMA%3D%3D
New Delhi: Abuse of the elderly is a relatively new problem. With increasing life-expectancy, there are more elderly people around.
A recent study by HelpAge India, “Elder Abuse and Crime in India”, claims all senior citizens they spoke to in the Capital said they had been verbally abused, while 33% confided they had been physically abused -- often beaten and tied to chairs. The ill-treatment of the elderly has become a serious enough problem to now warrant a “World Elder Abuse Awareness Day”, observed across the globe on June 15.
The study, that considered the responses of 900 senior citizens in nine cities, says family members are the chief abusers of the elderly in India and help from outsiders isn’t sought or is not forthcoming.
Ninety-two per cent of Delhi’s elderly citizens are suffering in silence because they are ashamed or afraid to share their experiences. Those who do manage to overcome the shame and fear, confide to neighbours or members of the community. Not an easy task as most abusers are often their own family members. Among the wealthy, it was the son who emerged as “chief abuser”; in the group considered for the 2011 survey, it was the daughter-in-law. However, 22.5% of the elderly in the Capital— the highest figures in the country — are financially dependent on their daughters-in-law to some degree. Delhi, however, had the highest number of senior citizens who owned property with 76% owning a piece of real estate.
“In the last 50 years, our age span has increased by 20 years. But as you advance in age, age-related disabilities appear. These aren’t new but now they’ll continue for a longer period,” says M M Sabharwal, who works with HelpAge.
If these senior citizens are neglected or abused – and all the candidates questioned were – they seem to bear it in silence. There is an acute lack of awareness of laws and faith in law-enforcement agencies. In fact, Delhi’s pensioners are more distrustful of authorities than those in any other city. They can’t be sure whether they will get support from the police or lawyers. And for good reason. The study claims 75% of the few who did take that step – registered a complaint with the police – said they were harassed by the authorities. “Whenever any of us takes an issue to the SHO, we are told there’s not enough staff,” adds J R Gupta, a senior citizen.
“That’s not an acceptable excuse at all,” said joint commissioner (CAW) Nityanandam, who was present at an event where the study was released. He said there were 11,655 senior citizens registered with the Delhi police’s Senior Citizen’s Security Cell.
OLD AND VULNERABLE
Dependent elders need help, mostly to meet medical expenses 100% say they are abused by daughter-in-law; 50% are abused by son
100% face verbal abuse 92% take no action when abused 75% of those who complained against abuse say they are harassed by law enforcement officials 49% can’t say if law enforcement agencies will be supportive
Only 19% are aware of existing laws & policies regarding abuse/crime
17% want to contact the police 5% in Delhi want home visits by police/lawyers to resolve issues. The figure for national level is 25.4% 76% own property, but only 7% is engaged in
any economic
activity
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