EPIDEMIC OF SILENT SUFFERING

 EPIDEMIC OF SILENT SUFFERING

Bruhaspati Samal

General Secretary

Confederation of Central Govt. Employees and Workers

Odisha State Coordination Committee

Mobile: 9437022669, eMail: samalbruhaspati@gmail.com

As societies around the world grapple with aging populations, elder abuse is increasingly recognized as the pervasive issue affecting millions of senior citizens worldwide. This widespread prevalence in its various forms including physical abuse, psychological or emotional abuse (verbal assaults, threats, harassment, and intimidation), sexual abuse, financial exploitation (illegal or improper use of an elder's funds, property, or assets), and neglect (failure to fulfill a caretaking obligation, including inadequate provision of food, shelter, healthcare, and protection) combined with the severe consequences for victims, has led experts to describe the sufferings of senior citizens as an epidemic.   

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 1 in 6 people aged 60 and older experience some form of abuse in community settings each year. This figure is likely underreported due to the stigma and fear associated with reporting abuse. The WHO's data suggests that psychological abuse is the most common form, followed by financial exploitation, neglect, physical abuse, and sexual abuse. While 11.6% of seniors are reported as victims of psychological abuse, 6.8% are reported for financial exploitation and 4.2% of the elderly population are neglected. Similarly, while 2.6% elderly people are physically abused, 0.9% seniors are sexually harassed. 

The prevalence of elder abuse in India is alarmingly high, often rooted in deep-seated cultural and social issues. According to the 2011 Census, India had 104 million people aged 60 and above, projected to reach 300 million by 2050. A comprehensive survey by HelpAge India in 2018 providing a detailed picture says that 25% of seniors are experiencing overall abuse. While 52% of those are the victims of verbal abuse, 34% are neglected and 12% are physically abused. In toto, financial exploitation is reported by 10%. More importantly, elder abuse prevalence is reported higher in urban areas (29%) compared to rural areas (23%), possibly due to the breakdown of traditional family structures in cities. A study conducted in June 2020, by the NGO Agewell Foundation, 71 per cent of India’s elderly reported an increase in maltreatment during the first Covid-19 induced lockdown. As a result, now the concept of old-age home is mushrooming in Indian society where the neglected parents are being sheltered which is too piteous. According to the Report of the Technical Group on Population Projections for India and States 2011-2036, there are nearly 138 million inclusive of 18 million homeless elderly persons in India in 2021 and it is further expected to increase by around 56 million elderly persons in 2031. Moreover, women are more likely to experience abuse, particularly financial and physical abuse, due to gender-based power imbalances. Studies have shown that abused seniors have a 300% higher risk of death when compared to those who have not been abused, leading to increased hospitalizations and use of medical services.

Globally, several international agreements and principles address the rights and protection of senior citizens. The United Nations' Principles for Older Persons (1991) is a cornerstone document that outlines key rights, including independence, participation, care, self-fulfillment, and dignity.  The Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing (MIPAA), adopted by the Second World Assembly on Ageing in 2002, further emphasizes the need for action to ensure the well-being of older persons. In India, the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007 is a pivotal piece of legislation. It mandates that children and heirs provide maintenance to senior citizens and parents, ensuring their basic needs are met. It imposes a duty on the state to ensure the well-being of senior citizens through the creation of old age homes and healthcare facilities. Additionally, the Act criminalizes the abandonment of senior citizens and prescribes penalties for non-compliance with maintenance orders.

 

 The protection of senior citizens is a multifaceted issue that requires a combination of strong legal frameworks, effective support services, public awareness, and robust data collection. While significant progress has been made in many countries, there is still much work to be done to ensure that seniors can live free from abuse, neglect, and exploitation failing which this epidemic of silent suffering would spread like anything leading to family breakdown, increased stress for caregivers, loss of trust within communities and weak social fabric. By prioritizing the protection of senior citizens, societies can ensure that their elderly population is treated with the respect and care they deserve.

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