Elderly join police to stand against abuse

BRIGHTON Beach police joined forces with The Association for the Aged (Tafta) to empower the elderly through its Aged @ Risk of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) awareness campaign.

The campaigns were held for senior citizens at the Methodist Church on The Bluff and at the CTI Hall in Clairwood, recently.
Captain Louise le Roux, Brighton Beach police spokesperson, said elder abuse was a rising social-ill within societies. She said elder abuse can be a single or repeatable act or lack of appropriate action towards an aged person, which can cause them harm or distress.

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“The police, together with Tafta, hoped to empower the aged during the awareness initiative which was based on their wellness and safety. The campaigns were launched by myself, by means of delivering an empowerment message related to the challenges that the aged face daily, followed by a musical item to inspire the aged to remain hopeful and to keep the faith, called ‘The Climb’, by singer Miley Cyrus,” she said.

Le Roux said the elderly were also educated on how to keep safe and what to do in various situations.
“They were informed of various measures that can be used to prevent being kidnapped when shopping by having a shopping buddy, as well as how to prevent being a victim of snatching or pickpocketing. “They were also informed what to do during a home invasion and how to safely use social media. In addition, I explained the purpose and processes of obtaining a protection and harassment order,” she said.

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Le Roux said Siphelele Myeni, a social worker at Tafta, informed the elderly of the services that they provided.
“She also encouraged the aged to utilise Tafta’s national toll-free elder abuse helpline to report abuse, be it for themselves or someone they know. They were informed that they could remain anonymous,” she said.

Le Roux said those in attendance also participated in multiple mini lucky draw activities and major draws where there were three R200 gift certificate up for grabs, which were gifted by the Brighton Beach Women’s Network.

“Through this collaboration with Tafta, the police is able to achieve its strategic objectives of creating vigilance on a prevailing social ill within societies, that threatens the wellness and safety of aged persons,” she said.

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