THUNDER BAY - Dressed in purple, a crowd gathered at city hall on Thursday to raise a flag for and stand up against elder abuse, part of the It’s Not Right Campaign.
“We really need to shine a light on these issues, and get to the reasons on why this abuse happens,” said Deanna Bessel, the chair of the community abuse-prevention centre.
It is estimated that 10 per cent of elders will experience at least one form of elder abuse in their senior years, which is why Bessel and her organization are trying to bring awareness to the community.
“There are different forms of elder abuse… financial, physical, emotional, psychological, and neglect,” Bessel explained. “Even those who aren’t doing these things, aren’t aware that elder abuse exists.”
Bessel hopes the day will not only inhibit perpetrators of elder abuse, but give bystanders the opportunity to help if they see it taking place.
The “It’s Not Right Campaign” allows the public to watch videos of certain situations.
“One example we have is a father being abusive towards the wife,” Bessel said. “This is a situation where the wife knows she wants to get out, but doesn’t know how.”
Bessel’s organization, the CEAPC, gives seniors information and resources to address situations like this.
Bessel explained that elder abuse is a problem on a local scale, and cited the recent case of Steven Clement who stole $91,530 from his elderly father as an example of financial abuse.
More information regarding the CEAPC can be found at the group’s Facebook page or on the Elder Abuse Ontario’s website.
