The Observatory for the Elderly raised alarm on Tuesday, revealing horrific incidents of violence and mistreatment against elderly individuals.
In one case, a domestic worker photographed a naked elderly woman and posted the material online. In another instance, an elderly person was scalded with hot water.
Recently, the Observatory received a video depicting a 90-year-old living in deplorable conditions as relatives were withholding his pension. It’s a common occurrence for children or other relatives and friends to exploit and extort pensions, benefits, or even immovable property through blackmail, forcing the elderly into care facilities against their will.
Additionally, cases of sexual abuse, including those with dementia, are documented.
According to data presented today by the Observatory based on anonymous phone calls between January and November 2023:
- 200 (91%) elderly individuals experienced physical abuse/emotional abuse and age-related racism/neglect/financial exploitation. In 80 (40%) cases, domestic workers were the perpetrators, in 54 (27%) cases, it was the community, in 30 (15%) cases, their offspring and other relatives, in 26 (13%) cases, spouses and partners, and in 10 (5%) cases, internet fraudsters and opportunists.
- Out of the total 220 reported incidents, 143 (65%) involved emotional abuse and age-related discrimination, 26 (12%) neglect, 20 (9%) abuse and neglect in institutions and nursing homes, 18 (8%) financial exploitation, and 13 (6%) physical abuse.
These findings were discussed in a press conference by the Observatory on the presentation of the report on the abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation of the elderly in Cyprus.
There is an increase in elder abuse in Cyprus, coupled with a notable phenomenon of age-related discrimination, among other issues, highlighted Dimitris Antoniou, the president of the Observatory.
He also noted that elderly individuals often refrain from reporting abuse, either because they are dependent on the perpetrators or out of love, as in some cases, the perpetrators are their own children or spouses.
“We only know the tip of the iceberg,” he emphasized.
