BC Care Providers Association (BCCPA) and EngAge BC recognizes the issue of elder abuse and strongly condemns any type of abuse on seniors. BCCPA has demonstrated its commitment to reducing elder abuse by advocating for a “zero tolerance” approach to elder abuse as well as its participation as an active member on BC’s Council to Reduce Elder Abuse (CREA). The CREA is a province-wide group created in 2013 by the BC Ministry of Health in response to the “Together to Reduce Elder Abuse – BC Strategy“.
Earlier this year, BCCPA CEO, Terry Lake, at a House of Commons committee also discussed the subject of elder abuse and ways Canada’s government can reduce the mistreatment of our seniors.
What is elder abuse? Elder abuse is the improper treatment of older adults, undermining their health or wellbeing, to gain an advantage or benefit unfairly or improperly over them. Elder abuse can include physical, emotional, financial or sexual abuse.
This Tuesday, June 15, I'm participating in a roundtable for World Elder Abuse Awareness Day to announce the next steps to strengthen the Government of Canada’s efforts to combat senior abuse. #WEAAD2021
To register, visit: https://t.co/kjELy2nBpT
— Hon. Deb Schulte (she/her) (@_DebSchulte) June 13, 2021
World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD)
As outlined on the UN website, World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) happens each year on June 15th. It was officially recognized by the United Nations General Assembly in its resolution 66/127, December 2011, following a request by the International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse (INPEA), who first established the commemoration in June 2006. It represents the one day in the year when the whole world voices its opposition to the abuse and suffering inflicted to some of our older generations.
What can you do?
Communities across the globe honor this day with events to share information and to promote services and resources that can help increase the safety of seniors. In honor of this day, various organizations will be hosting events and activities to commemorate World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) on June 15th, including the Canadian Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse (CNPEA) and the BC Association of Community Response Networks (BCCRN), which hope to shine a light and increase awareness on this important issue.
CNPEA, for example, on June 15th will be hosting a webinar titled Aging with Rights: Ending Elder Abuse in Canada. You can register and find further information at the following link. Likewise, CNPEA has also launched a dedicated website for the day at www.WEAAD.ca. The CNPEA has also asked participants to wear purple to honor survivors of elder abuse and raise awareness about the issues facing older adults. By speaking openly about this issue, the CNPEA hopes people of all ages will feel empowered to take a stand against ageism and elder abuse.
The BCCRN is also asking people to join them in shining a light on adult and elder abuse, getting involved in prevention activities, and celebrating older adults as active, vibrant members of the community. It has created a variety of suggestions and resources for helping CRN’s promote WEAAD in their communities which can be accessed at the following link. BCCRN is also encouraging everyone on June 15th to wear purple to show their support.
