World Elder Abuse Awareness Day 2022

An Garda Síochána are showing our support for World Elder Abuse Awareness Day by raising awareness of abuse of older people. This abuse can take many forms, any or all of which may be carried out as a result of deliberate intent, negligence or ignorance. 

Don’t Turn Your Back Campaign

 In support of World Elder Abuse Day, An Garda Síochána is launching a “Don’t Turn Your Back” campaign on 15th June 2022. 

It is important to be mindful that Elder Abuse is not always visible or obvious. There are several forms of abuse, any or all of which may be carried out as the result of deliberate intent, negligence or ignorance.

• Physical
• Psychological
• Financial
• Sexual
• Neglect
• Discrimination 

Further information from the HSE on Elder Abuse and appropriate action can be found here

Superintendent Michael Corbett speaks about the abuse of older people and how to get help in the video below:

Abuse of an Older Person

There are different types of abuse of an older person. They may be carried out deliberately, or through negligence (not doing what it is your duty to do) or ignorance (not knowing something you should know). An older person may experience more than one form of abuse at any given time.

Physical Abuse

Physical Abuse may take the form of having pain inflicted, being treated roughly leaving bruises or marks or being treated violently causing broken bones, sprains or other injuries.

Psychological Abuse

Psychological Abuse may take the form of being made to feel anxious, frightened or tearful, being made to feel insecure in your own home or being made to feel helpless or hopeless.

Financial Abuse

Financial Abuse may take the form of feeling loss of control over your finances, being pressured to hand out money or allow access to your accounts, having your money spent on things other than food, bills, clothes etc. or someone has access to your accounts without permission.

Sexual Abuse

Sexual Abuse may take the form of being forced to be intimate with someone without your consent.

Neglect

Neglect may take the form of being left hungry or thirsty, not having clean, weather-appropriate clothing, being left alone for long periods when you cannot move around unaided, experiencing discomfort if bed or chair bound or being denied access to glasses, dentures etc.

Discriminatory Abuse

Discriminatory Abuse can take the form of ageism, racism, sexism, that based on a person’s disability, and other forms of harassment, slurs or similar treatment

Report Abuse of an Older Person

Call or visit your local Garda station

Call Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111

Contact the HSE National Safeguarding Office: email safeguarding.socialcare@hse.ie or call 061 461165

In an emergency call 999 or 112 

Garda National Diversity and Integration Unit

This advice has been provided by the Garda National Diversity and Integration Unit.