Shock rise in pensioner victims of domestic abuse
Thursday, 5 January 2012
Support worker tells of helping 84-year-old.
A STRABANE centre for victims of domestic abuse has sadly reported an increase in pensioners coming through their doors, as a new year dawns.
Over the past six months, staff at Pathways say they have dealt with a rising number of women aged 60 and above seeking refuge from an abusive partner or family members.
Megan Kennedy, a floating support worker, recently helped a client aged 84.
While the forces driving the emerging trend are still unclear, Megan believes increased awareness about the service is encouraging older women to seek help, following potentially decades of abuse.
“It's becoming quite common to have an older lady coming here. It's not something you expect, but it is happening and we are becoming more aware of it.
“We are shocked by it," she added. "It's absolutely terrible. We don't show our reaction to users, but definitely on a personal level it's shocking.
“I do think years ago domestic violence was within a household and it was to be kept within the household. But now people are seeing that you can do something about this."
Danny O'Hagan, a veteran community worker who has been championing the rights of the elderly for more than 20 years, applauded pensioners for seeking help.
“Absolutely, this is concerning. We have been doing work in relation to the abuse of vulnerable adults and we would have seen bits and pieces of this.
“But up until a few years ago, it would never have been mentioned. This has probably been going on for years and no one paid attention to it.
“It's worrying, but I think it's a good thing it's coming to the fore now. People are more aware of their rights."
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