Delhi tops verbal abuse of the elderly

Here's another addition to the several dubious distinctions the Capital has garnered. After crime capital and rape capital, Delhi NCR has topped 'verbal abuse of the elderly' category, says a survey. HT reports. Salient findings of ‘Elder Abuse and Crime in India’

Here's another addition to the several dubious distinctions the Capital has garnered. After crime capital and rape capital, Delhi NCR has topped 'verbal abuse of the elderly' category, says a survey.

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The report has revealed that family members turned out to be the biggest abusers of the elderly at the national level.

Further, as many as 65% of the elderly from Delhi NCR felt there has been an increase in crime in the past three years. The two prime reasons that have emerged for this are increasing number of nuclear families and ineffective law and order, the survey released on Tuesday has found out.

In Delhi, six cases of crime against the elderly are reported every month, states the survey report - 'Elder Abuse and Crime in India' - released by NGO HelpAge India, on the eve of World Elder abuse Awareness Day on Wednesday.

The study was conducted across nine cities: Delhi NCR, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Kolkata, Bhopal, Chennai, Patna, Hyderabad and Bangalore.

There were 95 cases of abuse and neglect coming in through the Delhi Elder Helpline (1800-180-1253) during last year. "The aim today is to create awareness about this extremely sensitive and often closeted issue of elder abuse and crime," said Anup Khosla, HelpAge India's chief financial officer.

S Nithynandam, Delhi police joint commissioner of police (Special Protection Unit Women and Children) admitted, "The police staff is not completely sensitised" but assured all help to the elderly.

MM Sabharwal, president Emeritus, HelpAge India, said, "I feel sad that we have to observe awareness day for elder abuse. What has happened to our culture and heritage?"