Health and Community Services
June 15, 2012
World Elder Abuse Awareness Day Recognized in Newfoundland and Labrador
Since its inception in 2006, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador has recognized June 15 as World Elder Abuse Awareness Day throughout the province. This important day helps increase awareness of violence and abuse against older persons on a global scale, so that everyone can play a role in its prevention.
“The Provincial Government is committed to increasing awareness of and preventing all forms of violence and abuse against older persons,” said the Honourable Charlene Johnson, Minister Responsible for the Status of Women and lead Minister of the Violence Prevention Initiative. “On World Elder Abuse Awareness Day we recognize that violence against older persons remains a serious issue in our society. Through the Violence Prevention Initiative we have made progress in addressing issues of violence, and we must continue to take steps which ensure that all older persons in Newfoundland and Labrador may live free from fear and harm.”
Newfoundlanders and Labradorians are concerned about violence against older persons, as shown through the 2010 Provincial Survey of Attitudes Towards Violence and Abuse which was released in May. The survey reveals that residents of the province view older persons as one of the groups most vulnerable to violence and abuse.
Violence against older persons takes many forms, including physical, emotional, sexual, financial, psychological, cultural, verbal or spiritual abuse, as well as neglect. Research estimates between four and 10 per cent of older adults experience one or more forms of abuse or neglect at some point in their later years, often from someone they know or trust.
“On May 31, 2011, the House of Assembly passed the Adult Protection Act,” said the Honourable Susan Sullivan Minister of Health and Community Services and the Minister Responsible for Aging and Seniors. “It provides the legislative framework for the provision of services and supports to adults who may be in need of protection with the intent to ensure adults are protected from harm. Through the Office for Aging and Seniors, work is being completed on the policies and procedures needed to carry out the responsibilities of the act. We have also invested significantly in programs and services through the Provincial Healthy Aging Policy Framework that focus on older persons and healthy aging.”
Violence Prevention Initiative regional coordinating committees throughout the province have planned a number of events and activities for World Elder Abuse Awareness Day to heighten awareness of violence against older persons. A complete listing of activities can be obtained by contacting local violence prevention committees in the backgrounder below.
Over the last six years, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador’s Violence Prevention Initiative, a $12 million, multi-departmental, government-community partnership, has worked to find long-term solutions to violence against those most at risk in our society, including older persons.
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Media contacts:
| Tracey Boland Communications Specialist Women’s Policy Office 709-729-6225 TraceyBoland@gov.nl.ca |
Jennifer Tulk Director of Communications Department of Health and Community Services 709-729-1377, 699-6524 jennifertulk@gov.nl.ca |
BACKGROUNDER
Regional Coordinating Committees Contact List
Violence Prevention Labrador
P.O. Box 23
Forteau, NL A0K 2P0
1-866-446-8080, 709-931-2600
coordinator@vplabrador.ca
Northern Committee Against Violence
P.O. Box 190
St. Anthony, NL AOK 4SO
709-454-3351
darlenerice@gov.nl.ca
Western Regional Coalition to End Violence
P.O. Box 373, 2 Carmen Avenue
Corner Brook, NL A2H 6E3
709-634-6606
wrcoalitiontoendviolence@gmail.com
Southwestern Coalition to End Violence
P.O. Box 621
Stephenville, NL A2N 3B5
709-643-1022
swceviolence@gmail.com
Central West Committee Against Violence Inc.
5 Hardy Ave
Grand Falls-Windsor, NL A2A 2P8
709-489-8828
cav@nfld.net
The Roads to End Violence
142 Bennett Drive, Suite 2
Gander, NL A1V 2E4
709-651-2250
theroadstoendviolence@nf.aibn.com
Eastern Region Committee Against Violence
105 Manitoba Dr, Suite 304
Clarenville, NL A5A 1K2
709-466-4676
ercav@gov.nl.ca
Burin Peninsula Voice Against Violence
P.O. Box 87
Marystown, NL A0E 2M0
709-279-4030
paulamallay@nf.aibn.com
Communities Against Violence
P.O. Box 500
Bay Roberts, NL A0A 1G0
709-786-7182 Ext. 225
communitiesagainstviolence@yahoo.ca
Coalition Against Violence
31 Peet Street – Tara Place, Suite 209
St. John's, NL A1B 3W8
709-757-0137
cavae@coalitionagainstviolence.ca
2012 06 15 10:15 a.m.