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15 June is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD)

13 Jun 2023

The United Nations General Assembly, in its resolution 66/127, designated 15 June as World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD). It is the main day in the year when the world voices its opposition to the abuse and suffering inflicted on older people.

Elder abuse is an often hidden problem and includes psychological, financial, social, physical, and sexual abuse.  The definition in use by the World Health Organisation is:

“Elder Abuse is a single or repeated act, or lack of appropriate action, occurring within any relationship where there is an expectation of trust which causes harm or distress to an older person”

An increasing number of activities and events are held across the globe on this day to raise awareness of elder abuse and highlight ways to challenge such abuse. In Darwin for example, Darwin Community Legal Services is hosting a morning tea and awareness campaign.

Things that you can to do prevent elder abuse

Source: Ageless Alliance (Australian variations are applied) 

  1. Learn the signs of elder abuse and neglect.
  2. Call or visit an elderly loved one and ask how he or she is doing.
  3. Provide a respite break for a caregiver.
  4. Ask your bank manager to train tellers on how to detect elder financial abuse.
  5. Ask your doctor to ask you and all other seniors about possible family violence in their lives.
  6. Contact Darwin Community Legal Services (this advice differs from the US #6). The DCLS Elder Abuse Information Line (1800 037 072) is available from 9 am – 5 pm Monday to Friday and is free to call from landlines and public phones. If you are calling from a mobile phone, please let them know and they can call you back.
  7. Organise a ‘Respect Your Elders’ essay or poster contest in your child’s school.
  8. Ask your church leader to give a talk about elder abuse at a service or put a message about elder abuse in a newsletter.
  9. Volunteer to be a friendly visitor to a nursing home resident or homebound senior in your suburb.
  10. Send a letter to your local paper suggesting they cover WEAAD or Grandparents Day (last Sunday of October).
  11. Dedicate your fundraising efforts to organisations working to raise awareness of elder mistreatment and prevention.

Northern Territory Support

For more information about WEAAD, elder abuse, other resources and support in the Northern Territory visit,
https://www.cotant.org.au/territory-seniors-calendar/world-elder-abuse-awareness-day/

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