At least 30 per cent senior citizens in Delhi face abuse in one form or another, a survey has claimed.
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.
Over 5,600 people were interviewed across 20 cities in India, including Delhi and NCR, by the NGO.
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.
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
Indian society.
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.
Lack of adjustment and economic dependence were two of the key reasons behind abuse, the survey claimed.
A majority cited neglect and disrespect as the common forms of abuse.
In 60 per cent cases, sons were found responsible for perpetrating the abuse, while daughter-in-laws were guilty in 24 per cent cases.
Over 43 per cent of those interviewed said they were aware of the police helpline to deal with elderly abuse.
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.
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.