The broken cry : perceptions on elder abuse and neglect in Malta

Abstract

The aim of this research was to explore the professionals perceptions on elder abuse and neglect, to understand the degree of violence against older persons and negligence; to identify whether such phenomenon is considered as a social reality or as a social taboo in Malta, and to study how complex is this problem in Malta, and positively, to propose plausible solutions. Delving into the perceptions of professionals whose work is assosciated with older persons has made this study a focus of attention. All participants came from different social entities working at various ministries and non-governmental organizations. These included: a police sergeant, woman police sergeant, a social worker, a policy officer, a person in charge of the United Nations International Institute on Ageing, a person in charge of National Focal Point in Dementia, a person who has a degree in Criminology and a manager of a care home for older persons. All information was gathered and examined through a qualitative approach. The researcher became aware of the fact that the majority of the participants had mutual and mixed perceptions although they all have different working roles. General facts on elder abuse were also gathered to describe the phenomenon being studied. Findings covered the under mentioned topics: - abuse is not always voluntarily inflicted, sometimes people tend to forget that we are all bound duty to protect the older persons, the reasons why elder abuse is left unreported, the reasons why the victim takes the blame and tolerate such abuse and to increase awareness to prevent such abuse. Further research on perceptions of older persons on elder abuse is also being suggested so as to tackle and solve elder abuse matters from the professional sphere and those older persons who receive support.