BANGALORE: The abuse of senior citizens has become an important issue nowadays and it is estimated that over 40 per cent of elders are being abused in some or the other way in the city.
More than 6,000 cases have been reported on crime against senior citizens so far. However, it is also important to note that nearly 3,313 cases have been solved through helplines.
These are a few facts that came to light at a sensitisation programme on abuse and crimes against elders organised by the Nightingale’s Regional Resource Training Centre and National Institute of Social Defence for the police personnel on Saturday. A large number of police personnel and senior citizens took part in the programme.
“The ‘Police Alert System’, a unique helpline system to help senior citizens who are vulnerable to the increasing crime rate has not been taken seriously and senior citizens should sign up for this helpline,” said Uday Shankar, Assistant Commissioner of Police.
Referring to the increasing crime rate and vulnerability of senior citizens, he said the police should treat them in a kind manner.
“They should be treated equally like others. We should not forget that everyone will become old one day,” he observed.
Shivakumar, senior advocate and Convener of Elders Helpline and Psychologist Indira Jayprakash, spoke on issues ranging from the barriers in understanding the old people to identifying the victims of abuse.
Shivakumar said, “Nearly 80 per cent of the complaints we get is regarding money and property. We also receive calls regarding lack of affection towards the elders.”
“In addition to this, the generation gap between the old and the young is also the reason of abuse of elders,” he added. Indira Jayprakash, advised the police to deal with elders in a proper way when they approach them.