Several community groups gathered in southeast Calgary on Thursday for the start of a two day conference aiming to protect seniors.
The ‘Face It: Elder Abuse Happens’ conference at the Deerfoot Inn & Casino, co-hosted by the Alberta Elder Abuse Awareness Network (AEAAN) and Alberta Seniors, included addresses from keynote speakers from around the world.
“It’s nice to be able to bring this out into the open,” said Sergeant Graeme Smiley of the Calgary Police Service elder abuse response team. “What’s notorious about elder abuse is that it’s extremely underreported for a whole variety of reasons.”
San Diego Deputy District Attorney Paul Greenwood says physical, financial and emotional senior abuse is prevalent in today’s society and victims are often embarrassed to come forward or are unaware the abuse is occurring because of cognitive challenges.
“We depend on the community to be on the lookout for the red flags of these crimes to do the right thing and make a report to your local police department,” said Greenwood.
Predators often target seniors who are unlikely or unable to report the violations and the offender may be a trusted neighbour, relative or caregiver.
Victims of financial exploitation are often shattered by the realization they’ve been had.
“We've had cases recently out of the United Kingdom where four elders actually committed suicide when they discovered they'd fallen foul to a pension investment scam, when they found out their life savings had been depleted,” said Greenwood.
Greenwood encourages all victims to report instances of abuse.
“Take control,” said Greenwod. “You can empower yourself by not thinking of yourself as a victim but somebody who can make a difference. Very often the perpetrator has an addiction that needs to be treated and the only way that addiction can be treated is through the criminal justice system. By coming forward and reporting this case, you’re helping the defendant get the help that he or she needs.”
The Face It: Elder Abuse Happens conference continues on Friday.
