Acceptance of elder abuse condemned

Minister for Senior Citizens Ruth Dyson has condemned New Zealand society for allowing elder sex abuse and other harm of the elderly to flourish nationwide.

Ms Dyson was speaking following reports in Wairarapa and across the country of sons committing forced incest with their elderly mothers as well as an acknowledged rise in cases of financial abuse and neglect of our senior citizens.

"New Zealand society should be ashamed of itself. We are a civilised society and we are judged on how well we protect our weakest members," she said.

"There is stigma for the elderly women who are victims but nobody should accept being raped.

"We need to change the environment and New Zealand society must show it does not accept any physical abuse of our young or of our elderly," she said.

"These women are too ashamed and too scared to seek help. Public awareness and debate is vital," she said.

Ms Dyson said the national network for elder abuse and neglect prevention through the Age Concern organisation is "slowly covering the country" with 29 Age Concern Councils now established nationwide.

Age Concern is an independent, charitable organisation with the mission of working together to promote the quality of life and well-being of older people.

The two latest councils to be established are in Horowhenua and Taupo, she said, as part of the government funded Positive Ageing Strategy Action Plan.

Grey Power national president Graham Stairmand said he was aware of elder sexual abuse through anecdotal and "occasional information".

"It is a very odd set of circumstances but there are lots of things that are kept secret in the world and I don't know the answer to that one," he said.

Mr Stairmand said elder sex abuse is of national concern and "is not particular and peculiar" to any region.

- WAIRARAPA TIMES-AGE