In a country like India where familial relationships are held in high regard, crime & abuse against the elderly is rarely talked about. But more & more elderly like are finding the courage to come out in the open and highlight what is an extremely closeted and complex phenomenon: Elder Abuse.

Each year HelpAge focuses on the issue and has driven home the importance of safety and security of our elders. This year to raise awareness about the issue HelpAge launched into a mega drive nationwide to raise it’s voice against this heinous crime on  “World Elder Abuse Awareness Day” (June 15, 2009), garnering support for the cause, raising awareness about the issue through rallies, signature campaigns, and interactive discussions between senior citizens, policy makers, decision makers, police and media representatives. The day was marked in Delhi, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, West Bengal, Goa, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat & Haryana.

In the national capital an interactive discussion was held with the senior citizens of Delhi. Dr. Kiran Bedi, first and highest ranking woman officer of the IPS, was the chief guest at the event. She signed in her support along with Dr. Shyamlha Pappu, Sr. Advocate of the Supreme Court & Member of Law Commission of India and Mr. M.M. Sabharwal, President Emeritus, HelpAge India. They all wore badges which said “Say No to Elder Abuse” as part of HelpAge India’s silent advocacy. Giving the police perspective was Additional DCP (General Administration) Mr. S. K. Sinha.

The event aimed at creating awareness and urge Police and community to take action to make the city safer for senior citizens and to encourage senior citizens to empower themselves against their own vulnerability.

Dr. Kiran Bedi, in her address, stressed the need to make an effective Action Core group involving senior citizens, HelpAge India and younger members of the society, so one could keep a tab on the implementation of promises made by policy & decision makers.

Pre-event research done by the organization brought out the startling fact that the crime against elders in Delhi is more than double than that in Bangalore and four times more in Mumbai. Of the total cases of crime against senior citizens registered in Delhi, the highest form of crime was hurting a senior (42.2%) followed closely murder (35.5%) and then robbery (13.3%).

The outcome of the drive was tremendous in the national capital and within a week’s time Mr. Y.S. Dadwal, Delhi Police Commissioner, announced a Security Drive for the Senior Citizens of Delhi, which included:

Our role is that of an enabler between two groups of people.

• A comprehensive security audit for senior citizens homes.

• an inspector in each of the 130 stations in the city to be put in charge of this drive who will be the nodal officer who will prepare the audit report and inform the district DCP’s.

• All police stations have been instructed to ensure that seniors are not harassed by property dealers and land sharks.

• The police will help senior citizens to install basic security equipment like door chains, magic eye, safety locks, iron grills etc. by liaisoning with the contractors for the equipment.

• A major focus will be on servant verification with the aim to verify 80% of domestic help by end of drive.