NCJ Number
209765
Journal
Journal of Elder Abuse & Neglect Volume: 16 Issue: 2 Dated: 2004 Pages: 17-32
Date Published
2004
Length
16 pages
Annotation
This paper reviews the context in which elder abuse occurs in Africa and the types of abuse or violence that are manifested; provides explanations for the abuse and offers a human rights approach to understanding and responding to the abuse; and reviews policies on aging and legislation to protect older persons’ rights and considers strategies to prevent the abuse.
Abstract
The late awareness of elder abuse in Africa may be attributed to a lack of definition of such abuse in the region and thus a failure to recognize violations of older persons’ rights. The paper begins with a review of the literature that found that Western typologies of elder abuse do not cover all types of abuse manifested in African countries. Some types of abuse are found in developing countries, while other types of abuse are found only in African countries. These types of abuse were found to be more violent and to be perpetrated collectively, not individually, as is the case in Western countries. Some types of elder violence that commonly occur in the region are discussed. The article next looks at the issue of elder abuse in Africa from the human rights perspective, and examines policies and laws on aging and elder abuse. It is noted that these policies and laws, where they do exist, and the commitment to implement them, are gravely inadequate in Africa. Of the 48 African states, only 4 have a national policy on aging or older persons, while 9 are at various stages of developing a policy. The final part of the article looks at what is needed to address the problem of violence against elders. Recommendations for the justice and legal systems regarding the problem of elder abuse are presented. References