Elder Abuse in Europe: An Overview of Recent Developments

• NCJ Number: 218503
• Journal: Journal of Elder Abuse & Neglect Volume: 18 Issue: 1 Dated: 2006 Pages: 107-116
• Author(s): Bridget Penhale M.Sc.
• Date Published: 2006
• Length: 10 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Legislation/Policy Description
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This article describes interventions for elder abuse that have been developed in a number of countries throughout Europe.

Abstract

The United Kingdom has been involved in elder abuse research and intervention since the late 1980s and has a spectrum of responses that range from a national prevalence study of elder abuse to new regulations concerning the employment of individuals who work with vulnerable adults. Interventions and responses to elder abuse are described for the following countries: France, Israel, Sweden, Finland, Norway, Austria, Belgium, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom. The author focuses on briefly summarizing the way these countries have handled the issue of elder abuse. For example, in France several objectives have been developed to deal with elder abuse: (1) development of a national elder abuse help line network; (2) support and protect the isolated and vulnerable elderly; (3) recruit and train help line counselors; (4) evaluate and document the work; and (5) inform the general and professional press of findings. In Israel, some municipalities have developed special units to deal with elder abuse, which also run annual training courses for welfare officers. In Sweden and Finland, however, research and interest on elder abuse has not come to fruition until the past couple of years and both countries are in the initial stages of developing policies and protocols concerning elder abuse. Norway, on the other hand, has developed intervention teams of specialist social workers that address child abuse, sexual violence, and violence toward the elderly. In Germany, although there are no laws dealing explicitly with elder abuse, there have been recent changes in law relating to the quality of elder care. Also, there are a number of help lines that operate on the local level and the majority of these help lines can deal effectively with elder abuse situations.