World Elder Abuse Day 2015 will be observed in Shepparton on Monday, 15 June 2015. The Mooroopna Water Tower and the big gum tree in Monash Park will be lit purple to highlight Seniors Rights and the importance of awareness of elder abuse.
Elder abuse is any act which causes harm to an older person and is carried out by someone they know and trust such as a family member or friend. The abuse may be physical, social, financial, psychological or sexual and can include mistreatment and neglect.
What are older people’s rights?
The Universal Declaration on Human Rights states in Article 1 that ‘all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights’. This equality does not change with age: older men and women have the same rights as people younger than themselves.
The rights of older people are embedded yet not specific in international human rights conventions on economic, social, civil, cultural and political rights. Examples include the right to equal protection before the law, the right to own property, the right to education, the right to work and the right to participate in government.
Some rights may have more relevance in older age than at other times in life, e.g. the right to social security in the form of a pension. Sometimes a right that may have been respected when someone is young may not be well protected in older age, e.g. the right to access appropriate health and social care services
Shepparton Interfaith Network gives full endorsement to the rights of Elders in every culture and every religion in the Goulburn Valley.
On the day City of Greater Shepparton Council's reception areas will have ribbons, bookmarks and magnets available along with some information on where to seek advice and support. The Mooroopna Water Tower and the big gum tree in Monash Park will be lit purple to signify the day.
