World Elder Abuse Awareness Day
June 15th is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, a time to recognize the rights, dignity, and safety of older adults. This year’s theme, “Be Bold: Age with Attitude,” celebrates the strength, wisdom, and resilience of aging while challenging ageism, stigma, and silence surrounding elder abuse.
Being bold means speaking openly about issues that are often hidden, including intimate partner violence (IPV) among older adults.
Elder abuse can take many forms, including:
- Financial abuse
- Emotional/psychological abuse
- Neglect
- Sexual abuse
- Abandonment
- Violation of rights
While elder abuse is often associated with neglect or financial exploitation, rates of family violence and IPV among seniors continue to rise across Canada. Abuse in later life is frequently underreported due to fear, shame, social isolation, dependence on caregivers or partners, and concerns about losing housing or independence.
By the numbers
Police-reported family violence and IPV among seniors aged 65 and older have reached record highs in recent years. Older women are disproportionately impacted, and many cases remain hidden.
According to Statistics Canada:
- IPV among seniors aged 65 and older increased by 36% in Canada between 2018 and 2023.
- Older women are twice as likely to be victims of IPV as older men.
- Women account for approximately 57% to 58% of all senior victims of family violence.
These numbers remind us that abuse does not end with age, and neither should support, advocacy, or prevention efforts.
Why awareness matters
Older adults deserve to age with dignity, safety, and respect. Raising awareness about elder abuse and IPV helps break down stigma, encourages survivors to seek support, and strengthens community responses.
“Be Bold: Age with Attitude” is a reminder that aging should never mean tolerating abuse in silence. It is a call for communities, service providers, caregivers, and families to listen, support, and act.
Resources