NGO: Increase of elderly abuse concerning
The sexual and financial abuse of senior citizens is a growing problem in KZN.
That is according to the CEO of The Association for the Aged. The KZN-based organisation is today commemorating World Elderly Abuse Awareness Day.
TAFTA's Femeda Shamam says many elderly people become victims of abuse - mainly because they can't defend themselves.
She says the abusers are usually people closest to them.
"Where the abusers are family members there tends to be a need for the elderly to want to protect the family and make a decision to stay in the abusive situation", she said.
"In their need to protect their families they put themselves at risk", Shamam said.