UN expert warns about elder abuse within families

On the occasion of the World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (15 June), the UN Independent Expert on the Enjoyment of All Human Rights by Older Persons raised concerns about the abuse of older persons by their families.

Ms. Rosa Kornfeld-Matte, who was appointed by the United Nations as the first UN Independent Expert on the Enjoyment of all Human Rights by Older Persons in 2014, urged for public action to end abuse of elder persons within families.

In a statement delivered to mark the World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, the Independent Expert stressed that elder abuse is still a taboo that remains largely unnoticed and unreported, despite clear warning signs. Victims are not always aware of their rights and sometimes fail to recognize neglect and abuse. Ageist prejudices also work against addressing violence and maltreatment. This is why there is a collective responsibility to prevent and address abuse wherever it happens.

Ms. Kornfeld-Matte’s statement is timely as according to information by World Health Organisation 90% of all perpetrators of elder abuse are family members. Nevertheless, as underlined by the Independent Expert, the real scale of the problem remains unnoticed, which is why more research on this topic is needed.

You may read the full statement here

For more information you may visit:

• AGE work on elder abuse
• WHO infographic on elder abuse

Or contact Nena Georgantzi, Human Rights Officer: nena.georgantzi@age-platform.eu