Protection from Elder Abuse and Neglect

Elder abuse in any form is wrong. Unfortunately, some seniors suffer from abuse and neglect, sometimes from caregivers or family members. Abuse can take many forms, such as physical, sexual, emotional, financial, or spiritual.

Neglect and self-neglect are also forms of abuse. Self-neglect happens when a senior lives in a way that puts his or her own health, safety, or well-being at risk.

Where to Get Help

If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, dial 9-1-1 or call the emergency number listed in the front of your phone book.

In non-emergency situations, there are many organizations that can help abused or neglected seniors or their friends and family get help and protection. See:

• Where to Get Help

Information Kits

The Government of B.C. has developed an Information Kit to help older adults learn how to prevent abuse, recognize abuse when it happens, know how to respond and know where they can find assistance. These resources can also be used by organizations to host workshops or seminars to increase awareness about elder abuse in their communities.

You can download copies of the brochures in English, French, Traditional Chinese or Punjabi:

English

Brochures

1. Elder Abuse Awareness (Government of Canada web page)
2. Responding to Elder Abuse: Resources (PDF, 297KB)
3. Financial Abuse: Protecting British Columbia’s Seniors (PDF, 286KB)
4. Are You Dating? Older Adults and Healthy Relationships (PDF, 270KB)
5. How to Tell Someone You Are Being Abused: Starting the Conversation (PDF, 240KB)
6. Seniors Abuse and Information Line (PDF, 2.3MB)
7. Be Fraud Aware (PDF, 3.7MB) This information is provided by the BC Securities Commission

Fact Sheets

1. Are you dating (PDF, 121KB)
2. How to tell someone you are being abused (PDF, 112KB)
3. Responding to Elder Abuse (PDF, 110KB)
4. Financial Abuse (PDF, 112KB)

French 

Brochures

1. Sensibilisation aux mauvais traitements envers les aînés (Government du Canada web page)
2. Lutter contre la maltraitance à l’égard des personnes âgées (PDF, 724KB)
3. L’exploitation financière : Protéger les personnes âgéede la Colombie‐Britannique (PDF, 630KB)
4. Fréquentez‐vous quelqu’un? : Les personnes âgées et les relations saines (PDF, 465KB)
5. Comment dire à quelqu’un que vous êtes victime de maltraitance : Engager le dialogue (PDF, 420KB)
6. À la fraude (PDF, 472KB) This information is provided by the BC Securities Commission

Fact Sheets

1. Lutter contre la maltraitance à l’égard des personnes âgées (PDF, 534KB)
2. L’exploitation financière : Protéger les personnes âgéede la Colombie‐Britannique (PDF, 648KB)
3. Fréquentez‐vous quelqu’un? : Les personnes âgées et les relations saines (PDF, 667KB)
4. Comment dire à quelqu’un que vous êtes victime de maltraitance : Engager le dialogue (PDF, 291KB)

Traditional Chinese

Brochures:

1. 應對 虐老問題 資源 致電誰、何時及為何 (Responding to Elder Abuse: Resources) (PDF, 1.2MB)

2. 經濟虐待 保障 卑詩省的長者 (Financial Abuse: Protecting British Columbia’s Seniors) (PDF, 528KB)

3. 你在約會嗎？ 老人家與 健康的感情關係 (Are You Dating? Older Adults and Healthy Relationships) (PDF, 962KB)

4. 怎樣告訴別人 你正受到虐待 展開對話 (How to Tell Someone You Are Being Abused: Starting the Conversation) (PDF, 856KB)

5. 長者受虐及資訊專線 (Seniors Abuse and Information Line) (PDF, 220KB)

For information included in the sixth brochure, you can visit the InvestRight Be Fraud Aware website:

• Be Fraud Aware

Fact Sheets

1. Responding to elder abuse (PDF, 756KB)
2. How to tell someone you are abused (PDF, 726KB)
3. Financial Abuse (PDF, 841KB)
4. Are you dating (PDF, 805KB)

Punjabi

Brochures:

1. Responding to Elder Abuse: Resources (PDF, 1.1MB)
2. Financial Abuse: Protecting British Columbia’s Seniors (PDF, 404KB)
3. Are You Dating? Older Adults and Healthy Relationships (PDF, 810KB)
4. How to Tell Someone You Are Being Abused: Starting the Conversation (PDF, 770KB)
5. Seniors Abuse and Information Line (PDF, 1.2MB)

For information included in the sixth brochure, you can visit the InvestRight Be Fraud Aware website:

• Be Fraud Aware

Fact Sheets

1. Responding to elder abuse (PDF, 616KB)
2. How to tell someone you are being abused (PDF, 607KB)
3. Financial abuse (PDF, 643KB)
4. Are you dating (PDF, 599KB)

Resources

Resources in English

To learn more about elder abuse and neglect, see the following fact sheets:

• What is Abuse of Older Adults? (PDF, 157KB)
• Types of Abuse and Neglect (PDF, 147KB)
• Abuse of Older Adults: Signs and Effects (PDF, 194KB)
• Why Does Abuse Happen in Later Life? (PDF, 84KB)
• Assessment And Investigation Services – Services to Adults (PDF, 148KB) This information is provided by the Public Guardian and Trustee
• Protecting Adults from Abuse, Neglect and Self Neglect (PDF, 157KB) This information is provided by the Public Guardian and Trustee

Resources in French

• Journée internationale de sensibilisation pour contrer les abus envers les personnes aînées (PDF, 221KB)
• Qu’est-ce que l’abus envers les personnes aînées? (PDF, 116KB)
• Types d’abus et de négligence (PDF, 81KB)
• Abus envers les personnes aînées: signes et conséquences (PDF, 87KB)
• Pourquoi les personnes aînées sont-elles victimes de violence? (PDF, 52KB)
• Il existe des ressources (PDF, 93KB)

Together to Reduce Elder Abuse – B.C.’s Strategy (TREA Strategy)

The TREA Strategy is a challenge to all British Columbians to work together to increase our awareness, and to prevent, identify and respond to elder abuse in all its forms. Together, our actions will support seniors and respect their dignity and independence.  The goal is to bring about a societal and attitudinal shift and ultimately reduce elder abuse in our communities.

• Download a copy of Together to Reduce Elder Abuse – B.C.’s Strategy (PDF, 665KB)