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Abuse of Older Adults:
Department of Justice Canada Overview Paper
What Are the Consequences for Older Adults Who Are Victims of Abuse?
For older adults who are victimized, physical injuries may worsen pre-existing or chronic health problems and make it more difficult for them to function independently.
Data on Injuries
According to police-reported data, in 2005:
- More than one-third (38 percent) of older victims sustained a minor injury from a violent offence perpetrated by a family member.41
- A smaller proportion (two percent) of older victims sustained a major physical injury that required professional medical attention at the scene or transportation to a medical facility.42
Abuse may also damage older adults’ sense of self-worth and dignity and increase their social isolation. For some older adults—including those who have low incomes (just over three percent of older men and seven percent of older women in 2006)43 and those who cope with disabilities, language barriers or geographic isolation—abuse compounds the effects of marginalization.
For a broad overview of the consequences of family violence for victims, their families and communities, perpetrators and society, please see the “What Are the Consequences of Family Violence?” section of the Family Violence overview paper.
Preventing and Responding to Abuse of Older Adults
Abuse of older adults is a serious issue with complex causes and serious effects. Effective responses and culturally appropriate solutions require the ongoing commitment and collaboration of community members, including older adults and their families, practitioners and policy makers across Canada and all levels of government. At the federal level, the National Seniors Council held regional consultations on issues concerning seniors, including abuse of older adults, and completed a report in November 2007.44
The Role of the Department of Justice Canada
Justice Canada, together with its partners—including provincial and territorial governments, non-governmental organizations and the private sector—addresses abuse of older adults through strategies that include legal reform, public legal education and information, research, and support for programs and services. Justice Canada’s efforts include involvement in the federal government’s Family Violence Initiative, in the Federal Elder Abuse Initiative, in the Government of Canada’s Interdepartmental Committee on Seniors, and the Federal/Provincial/Territorial Working Group on Safety and Security for Seniors (which reports to Federal/Provincial/Territorial Ministers Responsible for Seniors).
Reforming the Law and Enhancing Its Implementation
To date, much of the response to abuse of older adults has focused on the welfare and protection of older adults (see Other Protective Measures above). There are also many Criminal Code provisions that may be applicable in cases of abuse of older adults.
Other Strategies to Prevent and Respond to the Abuse of Older Adults
Public Legal Education and Information
Public legal education and information is a key strategy for addressing abuse of older adults. This includes providing older adults, family members, caregivers and service providers with plain-language, accessible information about older adults’ legal rights and the criminal justice system.
Justice Canada supports public legal education and information programs across Canada to educate the public about family violence, including abuse of older adults. For example, Justice Canada provided funding to A.S.H. (Aboriginal Survivors For Healing) Inc. to hold three workshops as part of its project entitled “Let’s Talk About It!—The Risk of Elder Abuse of Residential School Survivors—What You Should Know, Where You Can Go for Help!” Another resource, which has been sponsored by Justice Canada, is a series of Canadian Legal Frequently Asked Questions, which includes questions and answers about elder abuse. The series is available online.
Research, Data Collection and Information Sharing
Justice Canada collaborates with Statistics Canada on the design and analysis of national survey data on abuse of older adults. In 1999, data from the General Social Survey provided insight into the extent and impacts of this type of abuse. This information may be used by various organizations to enhance policies and programs that prevent and respond to abuse of older adults.
Support for Program and Service Delivery
Through the Justice Partnership and Innovation Fund—Family Violence Initiative, Justice Canada supports initiatives to address the criminal justice response to abuse of older adults. These projects may include awareness-raising activities, peer counselling programs, advocacy programs, or the establishment of professional and community-based networks to consult and take action on abuse of older adults. Justice Canada also supports the efforts of Aboriginal communities in developing culturally appropriate approaches to addressing family violence and abuse.
