Mail & Guardian reporter
“Every day, in every community throughout South Africa, an elderly person is being emotionally belittled, isolated, punished, threatened with harm, and physically and sexually abused. In the vast majority of cases, the abuser is the victim’s spouse, partner, child, grandchild, primary care giver, or a person in the position of trust, including professionals.”
With these words, Marilyn Lilley, director of Focus on Elder Abuse in South Africa, and Africa’s representative for the International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse, officially launched the Focus on Elder Abuse website last week.
Sponsored by Old Mutual, the website is the only site of its kind on the continent, and provides a public service to those affected by elder abuse. The site informs the public and professionals about the many aspects of elder abuse, their exploitation and neglect and provides victims, their families and friends with contact numbers in cases of need, and gives updated information about elder abuse issues.
Since 1992 Focus on Elder Abuse has been a lobbyist for the rights of the elderly. The organisation was instrumental in instigating the drafting of the Aged Persons Amendment Act of 1998. Successful lobbying also ensured that protective measures for the elderly were included in the Domestic Violence Act of 1998, and that senior citizens were given specific mention in the Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act of 2000.
The website also serves as an information tool for victims of abuse, their friends and families. Researchers can also publish current papers on elder abuse, while the public response on the site’s interactive page can be used to influence policy concerning the elderly.
The website will assist and encourage further networking on elder abuse issues and Lilley hopes that it will become a useful tool for those working with the elderly in Africa.
Organisations can advertise their services to the elderly on this website, while any additional information regarding events, news and individual views will also be welcomed. The address is www.focusonelder abuse.com.
ENDS