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Rise of relatives abusing elderly Rise of relatives abusing elderly
(about 5 hours later)
Almost 90 pensioners in Northern Ireland had to seek refuge after suffering abuse in their own homes - at the hands of relatives. Almost 90 pensioners in County Antrim had to seek refuge after suffering abuse in their own homes - at the hands of relatives.
Eighty seven pensioners were given help by Women's Aid in Ballymena in 2006, new figures have revealed. Ten pensioners were offered help in 2005.Eighty seven pensioners were given help by Women's Aid in Ballymena in 2006, new figures have revealed. Ten pensioners were offered help in 2005.
The charity's Rosemary Magill said: "The sad reality is most abuse of the elderly happens at home from their own families."The charity's Rosemary Magill said: "The sad reality is most abuse of the elderly happens at home from their own families."
She said it was "a researched fact".She said it was "a researched fact".
Most abuse of the elderly happens at home said charityMost abuse of the elderly happens at home said charity
"The perpetrator can be the lifelong partner and it can be domestic abuse grown old - something that's been going on for decades."The perpetrator can be the lifelong partner and it can be domestic abuse grown old - something that's been going on for decades.
"However, what you need in any abuse situation is vulnerability and what makes some older people vulnerable is their age and you can get some family members becoming abusive to them."However, what you need in any abuse situation is vulnerability and what makes some older people vulnerable is their age and you can get some family members becoming abusive to them.
"That can take the form of sons, daughters or other relatives. Older people with dementia are particularly vulnerable.""That can take the form of sons, daughters or other relatives. Older people with dementia are particularly vulnerable."
'Domestic violence''Domestic violence'
Research carried out by Women's Aid and the charity Action on Elder Abuse (AEA) indicates 1 in 40 older people are victims of abuse at home.Research carried out by Women's Aid and the charity Action on Elder Abuse (AEA) indicates 1 in 40 older people are victims of abuse at home.
The age group most likely to be targeted is 80- 89-year-olds. The abuse can be verbal, physical and even sexual.The age group most likely to be targeted is 80- 89-year-olds. The abuse can be verbal, physical and even sexual.
Joan Cosgrove, chair of the Newtownabbey Senior Citizens Forum, said she was "shocked by the statistics".Joan Cosgrove, chair of the Newtownabbey Senior Citizens Forum, said she was "shocked by the statistics".
"Elder abuse needs to be brought up to the same level as domestic violence. The older perpetrators must be treated in exactly the same way as the younger perpetrators."Elder abuse needs to be brought up to the same level as domestic violence. The older perpetrators must be treated in exactly the same way as the younger perpetrators.
"It's extremely hard to report - how do you tell someone that your son or daughter is abusive towards you? But people must come forward. It should not matter what age you are. Abuse is abuse is abuse.""It's extremely hard to report - how do you tell someone that your son or daughter is abusive towards you? But people must come forward. It should not matter what age you are. Abuse is abuse is abuse."
AttitudeAttitude
Daniel Blake from AEA said there needed to be a culture change in attitudes towards this issue.Daniel Blake from AEA said there needed to be a culture change in attitudes towards this issue.
"We need to have a less patronising attitude towards older people and accept that while many are great people some are capable of cruelty," he said."We need to have a less patronising attitude towards older people and accept that while many are great people some are capable of cruelty," he said.
Women's Aid and AEA both want to see the problem being taken more seriously by the courts.Women's Aid and AEA both want to see the problem being taken more seriously by the courts.
Paula Jack from the Public Prosecution Service said measures were available to help older victims of violence come forward and give evidence.Paula Jack from the Public Prosecution Service said measures were available to help older victims of violence come forward and give evidence.
"We can apply for a video link to allow people to give evidence without being in the same room as the defendant," she said."We can apply for a video link to allow people to give evidence without being in the same room as the defendant," she said.
Women's Aid runs a 24-hour helpline for victims of domestic violence - 0800 917 1414.Women's Aid runs a 24-hour helpline for victims of domestic violence - 0800 917 1414.
Watch BBC Newsline 1830 BST on Wednesday for full report.Watch BBC Newsline 1830 BST on Wednesday for full report.