Forde wants more done to ensure justice for those who suffer from elder abuse

Ahead of the commemoration of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day on Thursday, former elder affairs minister Cynthia Forde has called for more to be done to ensure those who suffer from elder abuse get justice.

As she delivered remarks during a church service hosted by the National Assistance Board to mark the day at Calvary Moravian Church, St Michael, Forde said collective action is needed to address the issue.

“All of you have a responsibility as Barbadians because unless communities come on board and work with the seniors and others who are down with dementia, Alzheimer’s – or any disease – we will lose that war against elder abuse in our society,” she pleaded.

Forde said that partnerships need to be strengthened and created with new and existing stakeholders to ensure that the rights of the elderly are not violated and that those who violate the rights of the elderly, “go to prison because it is a serious violation of human rights”.

“Let us engage appropriate individuals and law firms to not only educate the elderly but also, the social workers, caregivers, families, the Barbados Association of Retired Persons, the Alzheimer’s Association, the Soroptimists, the churches, other communities and community groups like youth affairs because all of us as Barbadians must fight and be in the vanguard to make sure that services are extended to those persons,” she said.

Forde also assured those in the congregation that Government is doing its part and putting plans in place to adjust the gaps in legislation for the elderly.

Noting that Cabinet has already approved the National Policy on Ageing 2023/28, Forde stated that one of the priority areas is ensuring that the elderly get their fair share in society.

“There are two strategies that take priority when it comes to the elderly, strengthening legislation for supporting older people in accessing adequate legal representation and introducing and strengthening legislation and regulatory environment for protecting older persons from various forms of elder abuse or any kind of abuse,” she explained.

Forde added that the office of the special advisor that she currently heads has also started preliminary work on elder-focused legislation, which will create a “stronger, more relevant and responsive legislative environment that protects, empowers and enhances the welfare of older people”.

Under the theme “Access to justice, Lifting up Voices“, Forde urged Barbadians to step up for those elderly individuals who may not be able to represent themselves.

“Acknowledging that Barbados has one of the highest numbers of ageing persons alive, let us work and champion that cause. That collective action and voices are needed to ensure access to justice for the victims of elder abuse,” she said.