Elder Abuse in Domestic Settings

Jovanović, Slađana (2022) Elder Abuse in Domestic Settings. In: Yearbook. No. 5, Human rights protection : from childhood to the right to a dignified old age : human rights and institutions / [editor Zoran Pavlović]. Provincial Protector of Citizens - Ombudsman ; Institute of Criminological and Sociological Research, Novi Sad ; Belgrade, pp. 487-502. ISBN 978-86-89417-17-3

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Abstract

According to World Health Organization elder abuse is a significant public health problem, predicted to increase as many countries are experiencing rapidly ageing populations. Although Serbia is undoubtedly one of those countries, the problem of elder abuse has not yet been given as much attention (as it does when it comes to women and children as victims of violence). The National Strategy on Ageing, in which one of the goals is action against elder abuse, particularly domestic violence, expired in 2015, and new one has not yet been adopted. There are no surveys at the national level on the issue of elder abuse (in domestic settings), even though the Strategy has raised that topic. Therefore, the author analyzes the available data on the elder abuse prevalence, and response to it, adding the results of her own research (conducted through questionnaires filled out by older respondents, and interviews with professionals from the social welfare system, prosecutor’s office and courts from Belgrade). Special attention is paid to economic violence against the elderly and criminal offenses - family violence and violation of family duty. The factors of non-reporting of abuse and inadequate reaction are also addressed, as well as the possibility of a better social and institutional response to the problem.

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