Lindsay Whittle, Plaid Cymru’s spokesperson for Social Services, Children and Equal Opportunities, has declared his backing for Age Cymru’s ‘Rule Out Abuse’ campaign.
The initiative calls on the Welsh Government to introduce new legislation to force public authorities to investigate allegations or suspicions of elder abuse.
An estimated 39,000 older people in Wales suffer abuse in their own homes with that abuse taking many forms including physical abuse, financial abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse and neglect.
Currently, there is no legal obligation on public authorities to investigate when concerns are raised that an adult is at risk of being abused.
To show his support Lindsay Whittle, who is Plaid AM signed the “Rule Out Abuse” charter which lays out ten changes that need to be made to better support and protect vulnerable adults in Wales.
Lindsay Whittle, who is Plaid AM for South Wales East, said:
“We need urgent action to protect some of society’s most vulnerable people from harm. This is why I am backing Age Cymru’s campaign and have signed the ‘Rule Out Abuse’ charter.”
“It is concerning that Wales has the highest rate of elder abuse in the UK and I am committed to working with Age Cymru and other organisations to tackle this problem head on.”
Abuse can happen anywhere and is most often carried out by people in a position of trust.
The Rule Out Abuse campaign has been developed by Age Cymru following extensive research into ways of tackling elder abuse and consultation with adult protection experts.
The campaign identifies a range of actions which should be taken to better protect adults at risk by increasing awareness and strengthening adult protection processes, so that tackling abuse is given the priority it deserves.
Rhea Stevens Age Cymru’s Campaigns Coordinator says:
“Age Cymru is delighted that Lindsay has given his support to the campaign.
“We believe that a clear legislative framework, outlining legal duties for key agencies to tackle abuse, would ensure that individuals are adequately supported through the adult protection processes and that each agency brings their specific expertise to stop incidents of abuse.
“This is why Age Cymru feels that introducing a legal obligation to investigate suspected cases of abuse would be a significant step forward in ruling out elder abuse in Wales once and for all.”
For further information and to sign the Rule Out Abuse charter visit www.agecymru.org.uk/ruleoutabuse#
