[attach id=307776 size="medium"]Victim Support Malta director Roberta Leprè. Photo: Paul Spiteri Lucas[/attach]
An elderly woman, well into her 80s, was frequently seen locked out on the balcony all day while her relatives were at work. A neighbour contacted voluntary organisation Victim Support Malta, which intervened to help the woman. She consented to being taken to a shelter and, eventually, she was hosted by another relative, explained Victim Support Malta director Roberta Leprè.
In another case, a woman empowered her brother to sign on her behalf without realising that he used the power she had extended to him to transfer her property onto his name. The NGO helped the woman get in touch with legal aid lawyers to initiate court proceedings that are still pending.
In our work we’ve come across cases of physical and even sexual abuse of the elderly
Victim Support Malta focuses on giving emotional and practical support, such as legal guidance, to victims of crime.
For the past two years, the NGO has turned its attention towards elderly abuse and, with the help of the Malta Community Chest Fund, embarked on an awareness-raising project that is now drawing to an end.
The project was carried out in collaboration with the Maltese Association for the Prevention of Elderly Abuse and involved delivering talks to the elderly informing them about their rights and the services available.
“Over the years, we started coming across cases of abuse of older people and felt there was lack of awareness. We don’t really talk about it or have much data. But in our work we’ve come across cases of physical and even sexual abuse on the elderly. There is a lot of emotional, psychological and financial abuse and even abuse in terms of giving them more medication than necessary,” Dr Leprè explained.
She said that the most prevalent forms of abuse were of the emotional and financial kind, noting that the abusers were often relatives or carers.
To illustrate the victim-abuser dynamics, she told the story of a 73-year-old woman whose husband called her names, like lesbian, stupid and prostitute.
In another case, a 78-year-old woman, who lived alone, befriended a much younger woman who gained her trust. The young woman got hold of her PIN number, took her credit card and withdrew large sums of cash from her account.
“We are now at the stage where we want to raise awareness and encourage people to come forward,” Dr Leprè said as she urged victims to contact Victim Support Malta, in confidence, on 2122 8333, send an e-mail on info@victimsupportmalta.org or visit www.victimsupportmalta.org.
She said that, due to lack of funds, the telephone number was not a 24-hour service even though volunteers replied till late at night.
Last June, Home Affairs Minister Manuel Mallia said the ongoing prison reform should also help victims of crime. He asked Victim Support Malta to prepare a report outlining what type of help was needed and said he would explore ways of helping with funding.
Asked whether plans were still on, a ministry spokesman said: “The ministry received the report which is still being studied. In the coming days, another meeting will be set between Minister Mallia and Victim Support Malta to explore, in more tangible ways, how the government can help this NGO”.
How to spot elderly abuse
Emotional and psychological abuse: being upset and agitated, being withdrawn and non-communicative, unusual behaviour like biting and rocking.
Financial or material abuse: sudden changes in banking practice, unexplained withdrawal of large sums, inclusion of additional names on signature card, unauthorised withdrawal of funds.
Physical abuse: bruises, lacerations, fractures, broken bones, sprains, broken spectacles, sudden changes in behaviour, the caregiver’s sudden refusal to allow visitors to see the elderly person.
Neglect: dehydration, malnutrition, untreated bed sores, unattended health problems, unsafe living conditions, unsanitary conditions such as dirt, lice, faecal/urine smell, inadequate clothing.
ccalleja@timesofmalta.com