An older victim is often reluctant to seek help or report abuse because of:

• expected recrimination from the abuser;
• concern about consequences to their adult child or family;
• fear of being placed in a care facility, or institution;
• fear of having daily support withdrawn, and being unable to manage;
• being unaware of other support services in the community that are available to them;
• expectation that they will not be allowed to see their friends or grandchildren;
• being too ashamed to tell anyone that a family member is abusing them; and
• expectation of not being believed, or of being blamed for the abuse.

Additional cultural barriers to reporting abuse

Abuse can occur in any culture. Over the last few years about 10 percent of all immigrants coming to Canada have been over the age of 60. Older immigrants who may be facing abuse, experience further barriers in asking for help or reporting abuse, which are:

• isolation from friends (no one knows or can offer advice);
• racism and discrimination;
• fear of being deported if sponsor withdraws support;
• inability to speak or understand the language used in their new country;
• lack of knowledge of Canadian system;
• lack of knowledge of who they would seek help from;
• dependence on adult children and relatives for housing, financial, emotional and social support; and
• cultural belief that a family problem is a private matter.

Gender and elder abuse

Family violence affects both women and men. Women are more vulnerable because of their lower social, economic, and power status, women also often live longer than men.

Posted on: Sunday, August 9th, 2009

In section(s): Elder Abuse