NCJ Number
216061
Date Published
2006
Length
17 pages
Annotation
This chapter considers the circumstances of older people who are vulnerable to abuse in the United Kingdom and the legislative and policy approaches developed to protect them.
Abstract
The chapter first considers the uniqueness of elder abuse, noting that many harms done to elderly persons violate criminal laws but do not receive the same attention as younger victims of the same crimes. Research should examine the extent to which harms done to elderly persons, particularly those whose physical and psychological frailties make them dependent on the care of others, are viewed as crimes and are prosecuted as such. This raises the second issue discussed in the chapter, i.e., what is meant by "abuse" of elderly persons. The discussion focuses on the significance of whether the abuser intended to do harm to the elderly person and whether the elderly person perceived the harm as being a violation of a criminal law. A third issue discussed in the chapter is the importance of viewing elderly people as citizens entitled to the same rights and protections as younger people. There is a tendency for society to view older people as inherently and chronically dependent on health, social, and financial services. This leads to an undermining of the protection of their right to employment and the pursuit of independence in accordance with their individual capabilities. The nourishment of such independence and control over their lives can help prevent them from being placed in positions of dependence that make them vulnerable to abuse. Challenging abuse of the elderly thus requires a multifaceted effort to help the elderly maximize their independence; and when necessary, to receive quality care by persons trained to have constructive attitudes toward elderly clients and provide nonabusive care. 18 references