World Elder Abuse Awareness Day
15 June 2019
Sexual abuse of older persons must
be exposed, says UN expert
GENEVA (13 June 2019) – The sexual
abuse and rape of older persons is a subject rarely discussed, but nevertheless
is a reality, says a UN expert. We must all be more attentive and report
suspected cases of abuse of older people, says Independent Expert on the
enjoyment of all human rights by older persons Rosa Kornfeld-Matte. Ahead of
World Elder Abuse Awareness Day on 15 June, Kornfeld-Matte issued a statement
in which she says most abuse goes undetected and unreported, even when there
are clear warning signs:
“Sexual abuse and rape of older
persons is still a taboo. It is remains largely unreported and undetected and
thus invisible. With the ageing of our societies, this problem is expected to
grow dramatically. However, without enough data, statistics and studies, we
will not have even an estimate of the dimensions involved.
One of the challenges of sexual
abuse is the perpetuation of the myth that strangers predominantly perpetrate
it. Sadly, most abusers are family members, relatives or other confidants
typically in caring positions. This explains the inherently sensitive nature of
the issue.
This myth is sustained by a
societal attitude that does not accept the concept of sexuality in older age,
and therefore the idea that an older woman can be targeted because she is a
woman.
Negative stereotypes, such as that
older persons aren’t sexual beings, their greater dependency on others,
potential divided loyalty to staff members or residents, are unique barriers to
reporting, detecting and preventing sexual assault in nursing homes. Despite
severe health consequences, efforts to prevent and address abuse remain
inadequate.
Another challenge of sexual abuse
of older persons is that the opportunity to protect forensic and other criminal
evidence can be lost by mistaken compassion or shame of others who desire to
make the older person comfortable instead of calling the police.
Very often, the behavior of an
older person, even if they have confusion, will tell you that something is
wrong. Even with dementia, people can often make their feelings known if you
take the time to listen, observe and take notice. A precondition for an
increased abuse reporting and detection is that we all are aware and alerted
that sexual abuse of older persons is conceivable.
Finally, let me reiterate that
awareness and attentiveness is critical. Not only relatives and confidents but
also staff in hospitals and care facilities must be aware of the existence of
sexual assault and that it is their duty as care providers to report alleged or
suspected sexual assault in a timely manner. More education, training as well
as data and research is needed to address the knowledge gaps around incidence,
levels of reporting, nature of investigations, responses required to better
assist the victim, and the interventions needed to prevent sexual assault.”
ENDS
Ms Rosa Kornfeld-Matte (Chile) was
appointed by the Human Rights Council as the first Independent Expert on the
enjoyment of all human rights by older persons in May 2014. Ms. Kornfeld-Matte
served as the National Director of the Chilean National Service of Ageing where
she designed and implemented the National Policy of Ageing. She has a long
career as an academic and is the founder of the programme for older persons at
the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile.
The Independent Experts are part of
what is known as the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council. Special
Procedures, the largest body of independent experts in the UN Human Rights
system, is the general name of the Council’s independent fact-finding and
monitoring mechanisms that address either specific country situations or
thematic issues in all parts of the world. Special Procedures experts work on a
voluntary basis; they are not UN staff and do not receive a salary for their
work. They are independent from any government or organisation and serve in
their individual capacity.
For further inquiries and media
requests, please contact please contact Khaled Hassine (+41 22 917 93 67 /
khassine@ohchr.org)
For media inquiries related to
other UN independent experts please contact:
Jeremy Laurence, UN Human Rights –
Media Unit (+41 22 917 9383 / jlaurence@ohchr.org)
This year is the 70th anniversary
of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopted by the UN on 10 December
1948. The Universal Declaration – translated into a world record 500 languages
– is rooted in the principle that “all human beings are born free and equal in
dignity and rights.” It remains relevant to everyone, every day. In honour of
the 70th anniversary of this extraordinarily influential document, and to
prevent its vital principles from being eroded, we are urging people everywhere
to Stand Up for Human Rights: www.standup4humanrights.org
Nema komentara:
Objavi komentar