My chennai ..!! City best in treating elders Chennai has the least number of reported cases of elder abuse among the metros, according to a study conducted by Help Age India. On the eve of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, the NGO, which maintains an ‘Elders Helpline’ in collaboration with the city commissioner’s office, said the change had come from better awareness and the presence of the Help- line. Chennai reported 9.64 per cent of elder abuse cases, the highest being recorded by Hyderabad with 37.05 per cent, followed by `Kolkata (28 per cent , Delhi (20 per cent) and Mumbai(11.43 per cent). The reasons cited for abuse are lack of adjustment, economic dependence of the abused, and, at other times, the abuser, and increasing longevity. Sivakumar, Help Age director, says, “The most common form of abuse was disrespect (79 per cent), followed by neglect and disturbance.” The ‘Elders Helpline’, a toll-free number being maintained at the commissioner’s office since February 2004, receives an average of 30 calls a day. Additional commissioner of police, CCB, R.S Nallasivam says, “The police have been diligently pursuing complaints filed by the elderly. The city police also have a Grievance Redressal Cell in addition to the helpline.” Sources say that the Grievance Cell receives 50 to 60 petitions a day, which mostly have to do with verbal abuse and food and shelter requirements. Police officers say a registry is being maintained at each police station with details of aged single and couples living in the locality and frequent checks are also done. Many youngsters have also joined in the efforts to make the environment safer for the elderly. Kini Bokatoli, a student from Nagaland, who organised the report release function with her friends, says they were interested in the cause. The survey was conducted in 24 cities in India across 20 states based on interviews with elderly people above the age of 60. Source - Deccan Chronicle
Posted on: Sat, 15 Jun 2013 07:02:38 +0000
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