Delhi among top five cities with high incidents of elder abuse

Delhi ranks among the top five Indian cities with high percentages of elderly abuse, according to a new survey.

The survey by HelpAge India released on Thursday states that 33 per cent of the elderly population in Delhi is being treated poorly. “Unfortunately, elder abuse starts at home and from whom they trust the most,” the survey reports.

The report that covers 23 city shows maximum amount of abuse in Mangalore (47 per cent), followed by Ahmedabad (46 per cent), Bhopal (39 per cent) and Amritsar (35 per cent).

The study was aimed at understanding the extent, depth, form, frequency and reasons behind such abuse.

It shows nearly one-fourth of the elderly population experienced abuse personally, and often the main abusers were either sons (52 per cent) or daughters-in-law (34 per cent).

”This year the son has turned out to be the foremost perpetrator, followed by the daughter-in-law who normally is perceived as the primary abuser as per past surveys,” Mathew Cherian, CEO, HelpAge India, said.

Another finding of the report underlined how 82 per cent of the abused elderly do not report the matter to either “maintain confidentiality of family matter” (52 per cent) or “do not know how to deal with problem” (34 per cent).

According to the participants of the survey, sensitisation of children and strengthening inter-generational bonding is the way forward.

”Thirty-eight per cent elders feel the most effective way to deal with elder abuse is to sensitize children. Another way of tackling this increasing generation gap between the young and the old, is bridging this technology gap and empowering our elders,” Rohit Prasad, Chief Operating Officer, HelpAge India, said.

Joining hands in the fight against elder abuse, the organisation, along with 300 senior citizens from across the national capital, will hold a candlelight march on Friday at Parliament Street in Delhi.