Elder Abuse

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day Ontario will join a number of jurisdictions in Canada and around the world to mark the first World Elder Abuse Awareness Day on Thursday, June 15, 2006.

What is Elder Abuse?

Elder abuse, or the abuse of older adults, is often defined as any act or omission that harms a senior or jeopardizes his or her health or welfare. The World Health Organization defines abuse of older adults as “a single or repeated act, or lack of appropriate action, occurring in any relationship where there is an expectation of trust that causes harm or distress to an older person”.

Elder abuse can take place in the home, in other residential settings, or in the community. It is estimated that between four and ten per cent of Ontario’s seniors experience some type of abuse.

Ontario leads the country in efforts to tackle elder abuse. Ontario’s five-year, $4.3M Strategy to Combat Elder Abuse is the first of its kind in Canada and addresses three key priorities:

• Coordination of Community Services
• Training for Front-Line Staff
• Public Education to Raise Awareness

The Ontario Seniors’ Secretariat (OSS) developed Ontario’s Strategy to Combat Elder Abuse and is partnering with the Ontario Victim Services Secretariat, Ministry of the Attorney General (MAG) and the Ontario Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse (ONPEA) to implement the Strategy.

Information Resources

• Pamphlet ( Download .PDF)
• What You Need to Know About Elder Abuse ( Download .PDF)
• Ontario’s Strategy to Combat Elder Abuse ( Download .PDF)
• Safety Planning For Older Persons ( Download .PDF)

Planning Resources

• Elder Abuse Awareness Day ( Download .PDF)
• How to Host a Candlelight Vigil In Your Community ( Download .PDF)

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day

Ontario Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse
The Ontario Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse is a non-profit, charitable organization dedicated to the prevention of elder abuse and neglect.