Elder Abuse: The shame in the garage
Letter to the editor by Lisa Manuel in response to the Toronto Star article Elder abuse: The shame in the garage published March 2, 2011
As you rightly point out, elder abuse is more common than the general public thinks or wants to know about. The fact that someone is harming their mother or grandmother is difficult to understand; however, it does happen. Each and every day counsellors at Family Service Toronto encounter challenging situations of abuse in the community.
While the province has funded the Ontario Network for Elder Abuse to raise public awareness, provide education to front-line service providers and develop networks to coordinate existing resources, they have not taken the necessary step to fund coherent programs and services specifically designated to work with older adults experiencing abuse. It is critical that politicians turn their mind to this issue as we prepare for a provincial election this fall.
Lisa Manuel
Director, Changing Lives and Family Violence Program
Family Service Toronto
