Goa, which is known for hospitality, is believed to be unfriendly when it comes to caring for elders in society. On the eve of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day when Help Age India, a charity platform, unveiled figures it showed 53 per cent of the elders in Goa feel they are disrespected, while 30 per cent believe that they are subjected to verbal abuse, including shouting. Sadly, around 20 per cent said they were subjected to physical abuse, while another 18 per cent held that they have gone through emotional pain after being humiliated and intimidated.
The most depressing part is that around 45 per cent of the elders stood helpless against the abuse while the rest either took time off or let go of their emotions subsequently. The figures cut out a sorry picture of Goa's society which puts up a ''all-is-well'' front in social living but sidelines the wellbeing of elders.
Abuse of elders is not only restricted to Goa, it is prevalent nationwide. Last year the same group conducted a survey and found that 35 per cent of elders suffered abuse across India. The Goa percentage stands much higher, though, despite the system not being tone-deaf.
Goa Police have taken initiatives with outreach programmes in North Goa where cards with important phone numbers were shared with elders, including those of ambulance, electricity department, fire services, etc. In one instance, police even made house visits to inquire about senior citizens, which surprised everyone. In 2014 a helpline was launched for senior citizens with a designated 1090 number for creating an interface between police and elders. The advantage of this helpline was that it delegated a policeman for house visits and physical checks at the site.
The survey surprisingly shows that many senior citizens, around 21 per cent, are not aware of redressal or helpline, and they find themselves isolated on the issue. Others have reported that they are not taken seriously and did not pursue the issue, while others feared retaliation and aggravation of the problem. These fears point only to the fact that the system has failed to provide security. The helpline has not helped, nor have the policemen who projected themselves as ''good samaritans''?
The police have a major role to play here because this is not about a single visit of reassurance or giving elders tips on how to go about when in distress. It is about police getting involved and offering all possible help to citizens who cannot defend themselves. If the attitude is to divert cases to the corridors of court, the purpose of being protectors is defeated.
The police need to view the issue of abuse of senior citizens more pragmatically, using humane ways of crisis negotiation since these are delicate family issues. It would be prudent to look for solutions outside the boundaries of the law so that better sense prevails and elders get the respect they deserve and yearn for.
