<p>At least 30 per cent senior citizens in Delhi face abuse in one form or another, a survey has claimed. <br /><br />What’s worse is that over 75 per cent of those facing abuse did not report the matter to police to protect family honour or for other reasons, said a survey by HelpAge India.<br /><br />Over 5,600 people were interviewed across 20 cities in India, including Delhi and NCR, by the NGO. <br /><br />The survey showed that Bhopal (77 per cent) and Guwahati (60.55 per cent) top the list of cities where senior citizens face more abuse.<br />Shimla (2.99 per cent) and Jaipur (1.67 per cent) recorded the lowest figures of elder abuse. Of those interviewed in NCR, 63 per cent said elderly abuse was prevalent in <br />Indian society.<br /><br />Another worrying data is that 50 per cent of those abused had been facing it for over five years, while 35 per said they faced it almost daily.<br />Lack of adjustment and economic dependence were two of the key reasons behind abuse, the survey claimed. <br /><br />A majority cited neglect and disrespect as the common forms of abuse.<br /><br />In 60 per cent cases, sons were found responsible for perpetrating the abuse, while daughter-in-laws were guilty in 24 per cent cases. <br />Over 43 per cent of those interviewed said they were aware of the police helpline to deal with elderly abuse.<br /><br />The survey said only seven per cent respondents in Delhi were aware of the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007 under which the elderly can seek a solution.<br /><br />A majority of those interviewed said sensitisation of children in schools was important to tackle the issue. Economic independence of the elderly is essential to reduce abuse, the report said. </p>
<p>At least 30 per cent senior citizens in Delhi face abuse in one form or another, a survey has claimed. <br /><br />What’s worse is that over 75 per cent of those facing abuse did not report the matter to police to protect family honour or for other reasons, said a survey by HelpAge India.<br /><br />Over 5,600 people were interviewed across 20 cities in India, including Delhi and NCR, by the NGO. <br /><br />The survey showed that Bhopal (77 per cent) and Guwahati (60.55 per cent) top the list of cities where senior citizens face more abuse.<br />Shimla (2.99 per cent) and Jaipur (1.67 per cent) recorded the lowest figures of elder abuse. Of those interviewed in NCR, 63 per cent said elderly abuse was prevalent in <br />Indian society.<br /><br />Another worrying data is that 50 per cent of those abused had been facing it for over five years, while 35 per said they faced it almost daily.<br />Lack of adjustment and economic dependence were two of the key reasons behind abuse, the survey claimed. <br /><br />A majority cited neglect and disrespect as the common forms of abuse.<br /><br />In 60 per cent cases, sons were found responsible for perpetrating the abuse, while daughter-in-laws were guilty in 24 per cent cases. <br />Over 43 per cent of those interviewed said they were aware of the police helpline to deal with elderly abuse.<br /><br />The survey said only seven per cent respondents in Delhi were aware of the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007 under which the elderly can seek a solution.<br /><br />A majority of those interviewed said sensitisation of children in schools was important to tackle the issue. Economic independence of the elderly is essential to reduce abuse, the report said. </p>