Concerns received from the elderly regarding acts of abuse – Raj

Concerns have been received from the elderly members of the public regarding acts of abuse and discrimination at the hands of their loved ones.

Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Commission Director, Ashwin Raj says the Commission had intervened in a case in which an elderly person who suffered from psycho-social disability, lived in a tent outside his own home after being allegedly abused by his caregivers.

He says some of the concerns that they have received includes domestic violence, neglect by family members leading to homelessness, deprivation of nutritious food, proper sanitation and medical attention.

Raj says some older persons have sought assistance of the Commission to access social welfare allowances, medical assistance and to obtain Domestic Violence Restraining Order against an abusive family member in their homes.

As part of its monitoring mandate, the Commission has also visited old age care homes to investigate allegations of abuse and neglect after receiving complaints from the residents.

On the occasion of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, celebrated globally yesterday with the theme, Combatting Elder Abuse, the Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Commission reiterates that older persons in our society are equal in dignity and rights and deserve to live a life free of violence, neglect and abuse.

Raj says the elderly in our society are disproportionately affected not only by discrimination on the basis of their age and stigma but they also face intersectional forms of violence and discrimination.

He says the elderly must be economically empowered and have access to justice, health care and to social security schemes.

The Commission is working closely with key stakeholders such as the Department of Social Welfare, Fiji Police Force, Ministry of Health and Medical Services and Fiji Disabled People's Federation to ensure that the older persons who are subjected to violence and abuse are afforded medical attention, social welfare allowances, have access to relevant institutions to seek further assistance such as access to age care homes and food allowances.