CHENNAI : HelpAge India commemorated World Elder Abuse Awareness Day by conducting an awareness programme and releasing a nationwide report on Elder Abuse in India 2018 at Bentick Higher Secondary School for Girls in Vepery on Thursday.The United Nations marks June 15 as World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. According to HelpAge’s report, around 25% of elders in India experience abuse either in the forms of disrespect, (56%), verbal abuse (49%), physical abuse (12%) or economic exploitation (22%). Tamil Nadu ranked higher than the national average on the various form of elder abuse, with 59% reporting disrespect, 56% reporting verbal abuse, 20% reporting physical abuse, and 28% reporting economic exploitation. The main perpetrators of elder abuse, according to the report, are sons (52%) and daughter-in-laws (34%).
Edwin Babu, joint director, HelpAge India said, “Our elders are abused, but due to societal pressures, they do not report it. As per the data in the report, around 56% responded by saying that they would not report abuse as their family name is at stake.”
“Every single one of you should spread this message,” said chief guest V Amuthavalli, commissioner of the Tamil Nadu Social Welfare and Nutritious Meal Programme to the 200-strong student gathering, “In my capacity, I’m appointing all of you as youth ambassadors for this cause.”The students took the pledge against elder abuse, administered by Advocate Adhilakshmi Logamurthy, while holding signs that carried various slogans.