DEC.

20, 2013

NR # 3323

Solon bats for programs and activities to address elder abuse

A lawmaker has filed a bill which seeks to establish programs and activities to help victims of elder abuse. Rep. Sol Aragones (3rd District, Laguna proposed in !ouse "ill #$%& the creation of an inter'agenc( task force which shall have the mandate to establish and implement an )lder *ictim Assistance +rogram. ,nder the bill, the task force shall be chaired b( the Department of Social -elfare and Development (DS-D and members coming from the Department of .inance (D/. , the Department of !ealth (D/! and the Department of 0nterior and Local 1overnment (D0L1 . /ther members of the task force shall come from non'government organi2ations such as the 3ational .ederation of Senior 4iti2ens of the +hilippines (3.S4A+ and the 4oalition of Social Services for the )lderl( (4/S) . 5he measure further provides that the program shall be implemented in coordination with relevant national and local and communit('based public entities such as the municipal /ffice of Senior 4iti2ens Affairs (/S4A , private agencies and other entities relating to elder abuse, neglect and e6ploitation and other crimes against old people. /ne of the services under the program is the immediate, short'term emergenc( services which include shelter, care services, food, clothing, transportation, and medical or legal appointment as appropriate and an( other life services deemed necessar( b( the entit( for victims of elder abuse. Another service is counseling and assistance for victims of elder abuse in accessing health care, educational, pension or other benefits for which senior citi2ens ma( be eligible under the law. 7ental health screenings for victims of elder abuse to identif( and seek assistance for potential mental health disorders as well as emergenc(, legal advocac( for victims of elder abuse and as appropriate, their families, are among those listed as services under the program. Aragones said the elderl( have become vulnerable to neglect as the pressures of economic survival impinge on .ilipino families.

8Some famil( members, feeling that the elderl( have become a burden on the household, have given in to violence,9 she said. 5he neoph(te solon further said that as elders become more vulnerable due to their advanced age, the( are less able to stand up to bull(ing or to fight back if attacked. 85he( ma( not see or hear as well or think as clearl( as the( used to, leaving openings for unscrupulous people to take advantage of them,9 she said. 5he bill defines elder abuse as a single act, or repeated act, or lack of appropriate action, occurring within an( relationship where there is an e6pectation of trust which causes harm or distress to an older person. 5he proposal mandates the task force to immediatel( adopt a program that shall raise awareness of the public on the issue of elder abuse. (3: mvip