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Respect
agingRespect Aging:
Preventing Violence against Older Persons
1. RECOGNITION2. PREVENTION
3. INTERVENTION
Violence Prevention Initiative
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In this session• The Violence Prevention Continuum
• Intervention approaches and supportive legislation
• Barriers and risks in reporting
• Helpful resources
• Links to more information
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Why not call it “elder abuse”?
• Abuse is only one part of the continuum of violence
• Ageist attitudes
• Aboriginal perspective
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Violence prevention principles
• Right to safe, secure environment
• Rooted in inequality
• Expressed through the “isms”
• Violence is a choice
• Violence is preventable
• Everyone’s responsibility
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Violence Prevention Continuum
1.Short-Term
& Emergency
Relief Strategies
2.Capacity-Building
Strategies
3.Systems Change
Strategies
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Canadian intervention approaches and practices
• Adult protection legislation
• Advocacy
• Community response networks
• Consultation teams
• Counseling Continued…
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Canadian intervention approaches and practices
• Hotline
• Information and education
• Multi-disciplinary teams
• Peer support and advocacy
• Shelters, safe houses
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It takes a community…
• Violence against older persons requires coordination and collaboration among agencies, community groups, governments and individuals.
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Federal laws
• The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms
• The Criminal Code of Canada
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Provincial laws
• Human Rights Act
• Mental Health Care & Treatment Act
• Family Violence Prevention Act
• Advanced Health Care Directives Act
• Enduring Powers of Attorney Act
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Provincial laws
• An Act Respecting the Protection of Adults
• Adult Protection Act replaces the Neglected Adults Welfare Act
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Provincial services
• Victim Services
• Legal Aid
• Peace Bond
• Emergency Protection Order
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FACT:
Most of the violence that is committed against older persons in Canada
does not get reported.
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• Fear of…
• more violence
• loss of affection
• loss of connection
• “what will happen to me”?
• “what will happen to him/her?”
Barriers faced by older persons
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• Shame, humiliation
• Self-blame
• Being seen as weak
• Concerns about family “honour”
More barriers to reporting
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• Past negative experience
• Exposure to family violence
• Poverty
• Medication issues
• Communication challenges
• Unaware of human rights
More barriers to reporting
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Cultural and language barriers• Fear of deportation
• Dependency on perpetrator
• Isolation
• Limited English skills
• Limited access to translators
• Cultural perceptions of violence
• Mistrust of authority
• Cultural values on disclosure
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Isolation as a barrier
• Geographical isolation
• Limited community resources
• No privacy
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• Lack of knowledge, education and training
• Time
• Fear
• Perception of lack of power
Barriers faced by helpers and witnesses
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Reducing the Barriers:the “3 A’s”
1. ACTIVE listening and reassurance
2. ASK what the older person wants
3. ACT according to the older person’s wishes
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1. ACTIVE listening & reassurance
• Create a safe environment
• Listen carefully
• Provide as much time as needed
• Reassure – not to blame
• It’s not their fault!
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2. ASK what the older person wants
• “What do you want to do?”
• Help with informed decisions
• Provide info on:
• Options
• Steps in making a report
• Support, resources
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3. ACT according to the older person’s wishes
• Act on wishes
• Follow up
• Avoid judgments
• Provide support
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Helpful Resources• 24-hour crisis lines• Provincial resources, including:
• Key contacts in regional health authorities• Director of Neglected Adults
• Violence Prevention Initiative• Regional resources
• Organized according to regions served by VPI Regional Coordinating Committees against Violence
• National resources• Federal government
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Helpful for Whom?
• Service provider to older victims of violence• An older person who is a victim of violence• An older person at risk of violence• A perpetrator of violence• Someone with the potential to become violent• Anybody concerned about someone in any of
the above situations
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My Important ContactsA tool for those who may be at risk
Emergency Responders and Other Important Contacts
Police
Contact Name:Phone Number:Date: File Number:Notes:
Shelter/Safe House
Shelter Name:Contact Name:Phone Number: Notes:
Sample section