Janet Finch-Saunders AM – the Shadow Minister for Older People – has expressed her concern at the level of elder abuse that has been reported.

The latest data available, published by Age UK, show that in one year, more than 200,000 people aged 60 to 74 experienced domestic abuse in England and Wales.

Also reported is that almost one in four (22 per cent) victims of domestic homicides is over the age of 60, while 16 percent of victims are over 70. This equates to six homicides in the 60 to 70 age group, and a shocking 57 victims aged 70 or more. No data are collected specifically for the over-75 age group.

Age UK’s report was based on analysis of the 2017-2018 Crime Survey for England and Wales. Figures specific to Wales are not available.

Mrs Finch-Saunders said:

“These figures make truly appalling reading.

“As my colleague Mark Isherwood AM said earlier this week, there is likely to be a rise in the number of cases of domestic abuse because of the Coronavirus pandemic, and so I am particularly concerned about how the older members of our society may suffer during it.

“I am calling on the Welsh Government to work with partner agencies and organisations to determine the true scale of these crimes against our older people, and to work with all parties in the Senedd to tackle this hidden scandal in our society.

“We can’t let the older members of our communities – often some of the most vulnerable – suffer, be abused, and murdered like this. We must, as a decent society, care for and protect them as much as any age or other social group.”

ENDS

[Picture by Cristian Newman]