Elder Abuse Should Be Criminalized Essay

Elder abuse should be criminalised in India to give extra legal protection the older people.

The global population of people aged 60 years and older will more than double, from 900 million in 2015 to about 2 billion in 2050 (1). The older population is increasing at twice the rate and so is increasing the abuse against them. In many part of the world the laws are being revised for the protection of the older, but the crime is still as it is, before discussing on elder abuse should be criminalise one should know what exactly elder abuse is? What are the consequences of it? There are many more questions like these which are still unanswered. According to U.S. Department on Health and Services’ Administration on Ageing (AOA), ‘Elder abuse is a term referring to any knowing, intentional, or negligent act by a

Elder abuse has many forms such as Physical abuse i.e. causing any pain or injury to an older person for example, slapping and bruising. Sexual abuse which includes any kind of non- consensual sexual. Financial abuse includes any kind of illegal taking of funds and property of older. Domestic violence, psychological abuse is also a form of elder abuse. Neglect of any care by a care taker which is required by an older person also constitutes to elder abuse. In a recent case where Cynthia Thoresen died at the age of 88 years who was a victim of neglect by her daughter. She was not well and her right leg was broken weeks back when she slipped in a liquid pool. Her daughter waited for weeks and then called for help. When the ambulance reached there her body was found covered with faeces and urine, she was screaming out of pain (3). Her world was shrinking