Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I want to speak today on one of the tragic realities facing our elders: the huge yet hidden prevalence of elder abuse.
The NWT Seniors’ Society has been working hard to push this reality out into the open through their Building Networks on Elder Abuse Project. The project’s three phases were reviewed at a two-day symposium in Yellowknife, November 30
th
and
December 1
st
, attended by more than 100
participants drawn from all regions.
Community and literature research was reported. National experts shared their wisdom on the state of knowledge on elder abuse. The results of the 12-community survey of 528 adults aged 50 and older and the survey of 98 service providers and policymakers was provided. The survey results are startling: 71 percent of respondents said elder abuse is a problem in their community; 77 percent reported financial abuse; 68 percent neglect; 62 percent reported emotional abuse; 54 percent verbal abuse. Half said they didn’t know how to protect themselves from abuse. A third said they didn’t know where to get help. Only one out of three said they knew elder abuse is a crime.
Elders said abuse isn’t reported for a number of reasons: shame and guilt; fear of authority or reprisal, including losing their independence; lack of knowledge was a clear finding. Service providers and policymakers cited familiar factors creating the situation: poverty and lack of affordable housing; addictions; unemployment; ageism; lack of community and agency supports; lack of clear elder protection policies.
What did people say about attacking the problem? The answer takes itself in the name of the symposium, Building Networks. People said we must get together to respond. Get community people together on programs such as home visits, whole community training workshops and other
local steps. The people know the answers must come from the communities.
It has been said that the public consciousness on elder abuse is where awareness of family violence was 20 years ago. The work of the NWT Seniors’ Society is forcing this issue into the open and I applaud them for helping us all to understand and leading the drive for action. We must help, but how?
Mr. Speaker, I will have questions for the Minister responsible for Seniors on how this government will pitch in. Mahsi.