Wednesday afternoon’s public rally in Olympic Plaza brought together Calgarians, including members of the Calgary Police Service and seniors organizations, to mark World Elder Abuse Awareness Day.

According to city officials, an estimated 9,000 seniors in Calgary are victims of some form of elder abuse be it physical, financial, emotional, psychological or sexual. Across Canada, more than 766,000 seniors were abused in 2015.

“Every older person has the right to participate fully in our society and the right to feel safe and live free of fear of abuse,” said Deputy Mayor and Ward 1 councillor Ward Sutherland.

The Calgary Police Service's elder abuse unit, a brach of the domestic violence unit, has seen an increase in the number of reported abuses perpetrated against seniors, In 2015, the unit's four dedicated constables and two dedicated social workers, investigated 148 cases, a 35.77 per cent increase over 2014's 109 reported cases.

Calgary’s Elder Abuse Awareness Rally, an annual event, included representatives from:

  • Calgary Catholic Immigration Society
  • Calgary Chinese Elderly Citizens’ Association
  • Calgary Police Service
  • Calgary Seniors Resource Society
  • Carya
  • City of Calgary
  • Immigrant Services Calgary
  • Jewish Family Service Calgary
  • Kerby Centre

An estimated 80 per cent of incidents of elder abuse are not reported with a number of the attacks being perpetrated by the victim’s loved ones including grandchildren or adult children.

Luanne Whitmarsh, Kerby Centre CEO, says attempted financial abuse can place the victim at the mercy of a family member.

“It’s very difficult for an older person to say no to (their) own children and no to (their) grandchildren,” explained Whitmarsh. “If you do (say no) and there’s consequences to that, those consequences are usually really heavy.”

Elder abuse is often a hidden secret and many cases go unreported,” said Lisa Stebbins, Carya’s managing director of older adult services. “There is a need for increased awareness, education and training to ensure both the prevention and response to elder abuse in our city.’

Whitmarsh says it's important to bring awareness to the issue so victims are no longer afraid to come forward.

“The problem always existed, we just never talked about it,” said Whitmarsh. “Frankly, by the time someone comes and talks about elder abuse, it’s usually gone on for decades.”

To report suspected elder abuse or for additional information, call the Elder Abuse Resource Line at 403-705-3250.