MHM Magazine

Issue 6 | 2022 | MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS | 45 MHM Ahead of the United Nations’ Global Campaign for 16 Days of Activism for No Violence against Women and Children, The Association for the Aged (Tafta) launched a National toll-free Elder Abuse Helpline on the 23 November 2022. The active Helpline now enables older persons, family members and members of the community to access information to report abuse and to receive crisis counselling. THE STATISTICS According to the World Health Organisation, one in six persons that are 60 years and older have experienced some form of elder abuse. In a study by the University of Cape Town on Covid 19 and elder abuse in 2020, it was found that only 4% of elder abuse cases were reported to the authorities. The data collected suggests that elder abuse is prevalent and can be fatal.  Femada Shamam, CEO of Tafta said, “The world’s population is ageing, with older persons making up an increasing share of the population in most African countries.” South African statistics on the subject places South Africa’s total population at 60.14 million people, of whom 5.51 million or 9.2% are over 60 years of age. “These statistics highlight the concern that the number of elder abuse cases will continue to grow in the future. There is a gap in this type of support to elders, and based on the statistics we felt compelled to reinstate a toll-free helpline for older persons that would be accessible nation-wide,” explained Shamam. WHAT IS ELDER ABUSE The South African Older Persons Act 13 of 2006 refers to elder abuse as ‘a single or repeated act or lack of appropriate action, in a relationship with an expectation of trust, which causes harm or distress to an older person’. Abusers are usually the caregivers or trusted individuals such as a family member, friend or acquaintance. High unemployment rates, poverty, alcohol and drug abuse, breakdown in family structure and the high crime rate in South Africa are all contributing factors to elder abuse. TYPES OF ELDER ABUSE • Physical abuse - is any act or threat of violence toward an older person that causes physical harm • Sexual abuse - is any conduct that violates the sexual integrity of an older person • Psychological abuse - is repeated insults or ridicule, threats to cause emotional pain, and invasion of an elder’s privacy, integrity or security • Financial abuse - is the misuse or theft of an older person's money or assets. This includes intimidating the older person to provide money or assets, depriving them of money for necessities, use of their savings and failure to pay bills on behalf of the older person ABOUTTAFTA’S NATIONAL TOLL FREE ELDER ABUSE HELPLINE Carmel Murugen, the Helpline Project lead said, “People who have experienced abuse are often reluctant to report it, because they’re afraid to report a family member they love or depend on; they aren’t aware of their rights or they find the reporting process cumbersome and lack the support network to access services. It’s important that older persons struggling with abuse understand that they are not alone and that help is just a phone call away.” HELP IS AVAILABLE  By simply calling the toll-free number on 0800 10 11 10 , any older person anywhere in the country will be able to receive free, confidential counselling and be referred to the relevant services closest to them. The service is available daily, Monday to Sunday, from 7am to 5pm and will be managed by trained counsellors experienced in cases of abuse. If you are an older person, or know an older person who is experiencing abuse - call the toll-free number and report it. You will help to expose and stop the abuse and exploitation of elders, and protect them from further trauma, injury or financial difficulties. For more information on the helpline, contact Carmel Murugen on 031 332 3721 or email carmel@tafta.org.za . TAFTA LAUNCHES NATIONAL TOLL-FREE ELDER ABUSE HELPLINE