Tag: abuse of older people

Where Do We Draw The Line? New study reveals shocking lack of awareness around abuse of older people

Punching and threats not seen as abuse to a quarter of respondents

A new study highlights a significant lack of awareness among university students about the abuse experienced by older people, according to recently released findings from lead researcher Dr Jennifer Storey with support from leading abuse prevention charity Hourglass.
 
Researchers Dr Jennifer Storey, Rhianna O’Brien and Dr Silvia Fraga Dominguez have found in their work that 25% of those surveyed (predominantly university students) did not view punching, kicking, threats, or theft towards older people as acts of abuse.
 
Likewise, over 1 in 4 (29% and 28%) respondents did not see taking an older person’s precious items, or spending an older person’s money without consent, both forms of economic abuse, as abusive acts. While 25% did not view sexual advancement without consent towards an older person as abusive.
 
Hourglass is the only UK-wide charity dedicated to calling time on the abuse, harm and exploitation of older people and the charity is calling for major improvements to the public’s understanding of the abuse of older people.
 
Recently released research from Hourglass suggests that the abuse of older people costs the UK economy over £16 billion every year and if current trends continue, the figure could rise to as much as £25 billion by 2050.
 
Danny Tatlow, Research and Policy Officer from Hourglass, said: “A lack of public understanding of the abuse of older people forms a key barrier to help seeking by older victim-survivors. Inadequate support solutions for older people, and a corresponding perception amongst older people that there is no alternative to abuse, or fear they will not be believed, helps continue violence and abuse.
 
“The abuse of older people continues to remain a taboo policy area, forgotten by politicians and the public. It’s time that we gave older victim-survivors their due and that they receive the same recognition as other demographics”

SAFER AGEING– what does growing old in the UK look like__Layout 1Download


 
The study builds upon the findings from Hourglass’ 2020 ‘Growing Old in the UK’ survey, which identified low public understanding of abusive behaviour towards older adults.

Veronica Gray, Deputy CEO and Director of Policy of Hourglass, said:
“Whilst, on the face it, the fact that young people having less of an understanding around abuse of older people seems obvious, this is actually a deeply worrying issue. This shows that the very people we are seeking to educate around this growing epidemic of abuse are less aware than ever.
 
“However, younger people are not alone. Data from a 2024 follow up to our “Growing Old in the UK” survey, which we’ll release in full in 2025, indicates that awareness and understanding of abuse remains critically low among all adults, not just university students.
 
“Our report found that 23% of people surveyed across the UK did not view ‘inappropriate or unwanted sexual comments or acts’ as abusive to older people. A quarter of respondents did not find ‘taking items from an older relative’s home without asking’ as abusive either. This is extremely worrying and adds a new level of concern in dealing with the issue.”
 
Lead researcher on the project Dr Jennifer Storey, Senior Lecturer in Forensic Psychology at the University of Kent said: “We were taken aback by our findings; everywhere that I have presented them I’ve been met with shock and concern from fellow researchers and practitioners. Knowledge and practice in the area of older adult abuse lags other forms of violence.

“I hope that this study can help to call attention to this issue, the work needed, and the importance of education and safeguarding for the older adults that we care for and will one day become.”
 
“Where Do We Draw the Line? Perceptions of Abuse of Older Adults and Their Association With Ageism”
https://academic.oup.com/psychsocgerontology/article/80/1/gbae190/7906484

Human Rights Don’t Expire: Hourglass Calls for urgent action on Abuse of Older People and Age Discrimination

On the eighteenth World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) Hourglass, the only UK-wide charity supporting older victim-survivors is calling for older people’s human rights to be given parity. 

WEAAD, a day recognised by the United Nations General Assembly to raise awareness about the abuse and neglect of older people, is this year themed on human rights, emphasising that these rights should be upheld for all individuals, regardless of age. Hourglass, with its unique 24/7 helpline and community response service, is leading the call for parity. 

Deputy CEO and Policy Director, Veronica Gray, explains: “The United Nations’ 1948 Declaration of Human Rights, Article 1, states that All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.

“They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood. Nowhere in this declaration, nor in its 29 other articles, does it say that human rights expire after a person reaches a certain age.

“However, the UK’s Equality Act 2010 explicitly makes age discrimination illegal in England, Wales, and Scotland, unless there is a justified reason. However, in Northern Ireland, older people still lack legal protection against age discrimination when accessing goods, facilities, and services. Despite these legal frameworks, the rights of older people are often not upheld.”

The charity feels the COVID-19 pandemic starkly further highlighted these issues. They point to evidence that older people were discharged from hospitals into care homes without being tested for coronavirus, leading to rapid virus spread in environments lacking PPE. There is also evidence that “Do Not Resuscitate” notices were issued without the consent of the individuals or their families. 

Hourglass points to the October 2020, Amnesty International report “As if expendable: The UK government’s failure to protect older people in care homes during the COVID-19 pandemic.” This accused the UK government of directly violating the human rights of older care home residents, including their rights to life, health, and non-discrimination.

Veronica Gray continues: “Unfortunately, the violation of older people’s human rights extends beyond the pandemic. During the legislative process for the Domestic Abuse Act, the abuse of older people was notably absent from discussions.

“The government’s stance that generic abuse services suffice for older victims ignored significant barriers older people face when accessing these services.”

The charity has initiated its own manifesto and campaign to highlight the issue further. For WEAAD 2024, Hourglass has launched OATH – Older Age, Tomorrow’s Hope – urging people to commit to creating a Safer Ageing Society by 2050.

The pledge calls for support from both the public and political leaders in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales.

You can take the OATH here: https://www.wearehourglass.org/take-oath.

In an attempt to address these issues, Hourglass has launched its own manifesto, calling on Westminster, the Welsh Senedd, Holyrood, and Stormont to adopt key policies that lay the foundation for a safer ageing society.

The manifesto can be viewed here: https://www.wearehourglass.org/hourglass-manifesto-2024.

The manifesto – entitled ‘A Safer Ageing Society by 2050’ illustrates some of the key issues facing older victim-survivors and the urgent need for parity.

The narrative explains: Research by Hourglass in 2020 found that over 2.6 million older people were affected by abuse and neglect, yet specialised services for older victims are scarce and often have long waiting lists.

Ageist attitudes remain a significant barrier. For example, economic abuse by family members taking an older person’s inheritance early is not widely recognised as abuse.

Veronica Gray, concludes: “As our population ages, it is imperative that we ensure human rights do not erode with age. The right to life, health, and non-discrimination must be upheld for older individuals.

“We must strive for a society where people can grow old free from abuse and neglect, with their human rights intact. The journey to a Safer Ageing Society by 2050 starts today, and it requires immediate action and commitment from all of us.”

Hourglass, which has been working to support older-victims of abuse and neglect since 1994, has a unique 24/7 helpline, instant messenger and Knowledge Bank service. These services are already under threat due to delayed decision-making on future funding mechanisms. 

The charity was recently in the headlines for working to develop and script the story of Yolande Trueman, in BBCs EastEnders. This, along with many other factors has seen the charity’s calls hit over 700 a week and with a likely 50,000 contacts per year.  

The charity is urging those keen to support the charity to donate by visiting www.wearehourglass.org.uk/donate or Text SAFER to 70460 to donate £10.

Texts cost £10 plus one standard rate message and you’ll be opting in to hear more about our work and fundraising via telephone and SMS. If you’d like to give £10 but do not wish to receive marketing communications, text SAFERNOINFO to 70460.