BARP moves to formalise elder abuse reporting as cases rise

The Barbados Association of Retired Persons (BARP) is moving to formalise how elder abuse cases are handled, amid growing reports from seniors seeking direct intervention at its offices.

As the association’s annual general meeting got underway at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre on Thursday, president Marilyn Rice-Bowen said the organisation was in the final stages of developing a reporting system that would provide a more structured response to complaints from seniors.

Attendees of Thursday’s general meeting. (Photo Credit: Shamar Blunt)

Rice-Bowen explained that reports of elder abuse had become increasingly common, with members now visiting the organisation’s offices to seek assistance.

“One of our most important initiatives will be the introduction of a formal reporting protocol for elder abuse,” she said.

She noted that in the past, members typically reached BARP by telephone or email, but the nature of the reports had changed.

“It has reached a stage where our members are coming to the office to report elder abuse. What is done, we will take a note, we will phone the Family Conflict Unit, which is a division of the Barbados Police Service, and then let them follow up, but we’re going to take it a step further.”

Under the new system, BARP staff will complete a standard reporting form whenever a case is brought to the organisation. The completed document will then be forwarded directly to the Family Conflict Unit for investigation, while BARP will monitor the progress of each case.

“We’re in the process of having a reporting form designed. That form will be completed at BARP and forwarded to the Family Conflict Unit of the Barbados Police Service, and of course, then we will be able to follow up to see what’s happening.”

Rice-Bowen described the initiative as a more robust approach to addressing abuse against older people and said the organisation was prepared to take the lead if necessary.

“From BARP’s perspective… it is a more serious approach to elder abuse,” she said. “Every senior deserves to live in safety, dignity and respect.”

The initiative builds on concerns the BARP leader raised last month when she described elder abuse as a “silent crisis”. She warned then of a growing but largely hidden pattern of abuse, including the calculated targeting of isolated seniors for financial gain, and urged the country to take stronger action to protect its elderly people.

(SB)