Govt pledges counselling, elderly protection laws

A brutal assault on a pensioner man in broad daylight on Belmont Road, St Michael, has sparked national outrage and prompted a strong response from the government.

The attack, which was captured on video and widely shared on social media, has led to renewed calls for stronger protection of senior citizens.

Minister of People Empowerment and Elder Affairs Kirk Humphrey joined a chorus of national condemnation of the violent assault on Thursday around 12:15 p.m., calling it a “senseless and despicable act of violence”.

Jeffrey Barrow, 66, received treatment at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital for multiple injuries sustained during the incident. Barrow was beaten and robbed of an undisclosed sum of money.

“As a minister of government, father and a representative of the people, I must place on record my profound shock and absolute horror at the senseless and despicable act of violence that circulated across social media yesterday (Thursday), against one of our senior citizens,” Humphrey said on Friday.

He also pledged that the Ministry of Elder Affairs would provide full social support to the injured man.

“My ministry stands ready to open our social services to this gentleman and we will work assiduously to ensure that he receives the assistance he needs to help him overcome this troubling ordeal,” he said.

Calling the assault deeply troubling, Humphrey noted that his ministry would be bringing new legislation before Parliament aimed specifically at protecting elderly citizens from abuse.

“Notwithstanding this senseless act, my ministry is fully aware of the problems being experienced by the elderly and, over the coming months, it is my firm intention to bring to Parliament ageing legislation, which will specifically address elderly abuse,” he said. “Make no mistake! Persons found guilty in our law courts of abusing our elderly will now face hefty fines and imprisonment for committing such atrocious acts of violence against our seniors.”

He highlighted the invaluable contributions that senior citizens like Barrow have made to the development of Barbados.

“Our senior citizens have worked hard to help build this nation and have helped to shape post-independence Barbados into the modern 21st-century island of which we are all proud,” he said. “They fully deserve to live and enjoy their golden years in harmony, peace and security.”

Urging Barbadians to protect and value the elderly, he added: “I further caution those persons who are looking for easy prey, to see the elderly and leave them alone. They are the pillars of our society. They are deserving of our love and care, and let us remember that they should at all times be treasured, valued and respected.”

With a suspect now in custody and lawmen continuing to investigate the incident, Humphrey commended The Barbados Police Service for its efforts.

“I wish to thank the police for their diligent efforts to locate the perpetrator and for their excellence in solving a number of other similar cases over the course of this year,” he said.

On Friday, Communications and Public Affairs Officer Acting Inspector Ryan Brathwaite appealed to anyone who witnessed the incident or recorded video of the incident at Belmont Road to contact the Criminal Investigations Department at 430-7189 or 430-7190.

“All information received will be strictly confidential,” he assured.

sheriabrathwaite@barbadostoday.bb