- New research by Ikamva Labantu highlights that older women in Cape Town’s townships face more frequent and varied forms of abuse compared to men.
- The study, involving 83 elderly participants and 18 civil-society representatives, found economic abuse to be the most prevalent, often linked to substance abuse.
- Western Cape Minister of Social Development, Jaco Londt, emphasized the need for increased awareness and funding to address elder abuse effectively.
“Women are abused more frequently and experience a wider range of abuse compared to men.”
These are findings of new research on elder abuse in Cape Town’s townships released by Ikamva Labantu.
The Woodstock-based non-profit organisation aims to provide safe spaces and home-based care for seniors in disadvantaged communities.
The findings were presented at an event held at Ikamva’s head office on Tuesday 29 October.
The study conducted by Rachel Glaser, an independent researcher, highlighted the vulnerability of older people in townships.
This is the first study to assess the risks and protective factors in the township context and to address elder abuse in relation to gender.
Glaser said the qualitative study used focus groups, with 83 participants over 60 years old with equal gender representation and 18 interviewees representing civil-society organisations, the South African Police Service (SAPS) and the Western Cape departments of Health and Social Development.
It was done in collaboration with The Association for the Aged (TAFTA) and the University of Johannesburg, to assess the understudied area of elder abuse in the townships of South Africa.
According to the findings older women are more likely to be affected by physical abuse, sexual abuse (including incestuous rape and sex trafficking), spiritual abuse, financial abuse and unwanted parental burden.
While elderly men are often discriminated against and ridiculed when reporting abuse.
Glaser said: “A diverse range of abuse was found, mainly perpetrated by victims’ children and grandchildren, on whom many of the elderly are dependent. Abuse is often accompanied by, among other things, serious neglect and systemic abuse. Economic abuse was found to be the most prevalent, particularly exploitation of pension money.”
She added that substance abuse was the most frequently mentioned risk for elder abuse, specifically tik and alcohol use, which was associated with extreme violence against older people.
Glaser appealed to stakeholders to work together to address elder abuse.
In his keynote address Jaco Londt, Western Cape Minister of Social Development, said it is important that society is made aware of this dire issue.
He said while his department currently had 106 reported cases of elderly abuse the number was not a true reflection, as many cases went unreported.
He said national budget cuts prevented his department from providing crucial services to vulnerable people.
“If we can get our fair share of the budget it will strengthen our hand and will also allow for us to strengthen the hands of our partners to help the most vulnerable. But we do not have sufficient funding to have social workers, social auxiliary workers or provide the funding for our partners.”
Ishrene Davids, director of Ikamva Labantu, said it was hoped the research would spark conversation on the desperate plight many elderly people face.
The study acknowledges budget constraints but compiled a list of recommendations for society and government to address the challenges and improve the response to elder abuse.
