Highlights and Photos of WEAAD 2008 in South Africa

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The picture of socks:  These are HEAL (Halt Elder Abuse Line) White Socks.
AEASA had these manufactured for the first WEAAD - HEAL is a tollfree,
national telephone helpline for older persons and members of the community
to call and report incidences of abuse.  The tollfree number is woven into
the foot of the sock and the HEAL logo is on the ankle.  All members of the
community who have HEAL White Socks are asked to wear these on 15th June in
solidarity with victims of elder abuse.

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As a way of acknowledging WEAAD 2008 and showing solidarity with victims of
elder abuse, youth attending a church service, took their shoes off and wore
HEAL White Socks when receiving Communion.  In South Africa, Youth Day is celebrated on 16th June.

Youth wearing HEAL White Socks to receive Communion: Members of a church
wore their HEAL White Socks during a Church Service on WEAAD and went to
receive Communion wearing their socks.  The second picture depicts the
adults wearing the socks.

 



 

Older persons marching:  In Port Elizabeth last year older persons carrying
placards calling for an end to elder abuse marched through the town on 15th
June, the Police accompanied them.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Awareness Talks: New Crossroads and Mitchell's Plain - during the days
before and after WEAAD, Action on Elder Abuse SA hold Awareness Talks in
different areas.  The talks are geared to address specific issues occurring
in the community, guest speakers who are experts in their fields are invited
to deliver talks.  An example is that on one day participants would listen
to talks from a lawyer on the importance and process of drawing up a will,
information on social grants, how to apply for a protection order, the
warning signs of dementia and of course a talk on elder abuse.
 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Older persons on stage:  Older persons were acting out incidences of abuse
to demonstrate what they experience in their daily lives. These pictures
were telling the story of an older person, wheelchair bound, who is left
alone all day and whose children abuse her pension money.

 


                                                                                    



    P O BOX  16063

    VLAEBERG

    8018

 

    TEL:   (021) 4265255

    FAX:  (021) 4265530

 

 

   

N P O  006 –228  PBO 930005361               E-MAIL:  action@actiononelderabusesa.co.za

 

WEAAD 2008 / 2009  IN  SOUTH  AFRICA

 

On the days leading up to 15th June, on the day and the days following WEAAD, South Africans have been invited come together in groups – at home, school, work, in places of worship – to light a candle in acknowledge-ment of victims of elder abuse all over the world, and observe a minute’s silence at noon (SA time).   Those who have HEAL White Socks will wear them on this day, in solidarity with victims of elder abuse.

 

In many centres awareness talks will be given to older persons as well as community members of all ages.

 

Although WEAAD appears on our national Health Calendar as a day to be observed, it is not always easy to acquire media coverage.  In South Africa WEAAD is somewhat overshadowed by the fact that we celebrate Youth Day on 16th June, a public holiday.   However, in many ways this is favourable, as it provides a link of sorts between the generations and lends itself to intergenerational programmes.

 

On 15th June this year one of our national TV channels will be airing an hour-long programme on elder abuse.  A great step forward and one that we hope will be repeated.

 

Photographs included show the ways in which WEAAD 2008 was acknowledged – older persons marching against elder abuse in the Eastern and Southern Cape, a puppet show depicting incidences of elder abuse, members of a church receiving communion wearing their HEAL White Socks, and older persons listening to awareness talks.

 

Pat Lindgren

Director : AEASA

e-mail: pat@actiononelderabusesa.co.za

 

 


                                                                                    

    P O BOX  16063

    VLAEBERG

    8018

 

    TEL:   (021) 4265255

    FAX:  (021) 4265530

 

 

     N P O  006 –228  PBO 930005361               E-MAIL:  action@actiononelderabusesa.co.za

 

 

WORLD ELDER ABUSE AWARENESS DAY (WEAAD) – 15th JUNE 2009

 

 

An initiative of INPEA (International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse), WEAAD is held on 15th June each year.  The aim and focus of the day is to raise awareness around the issue of elder abuse or mistreatment.

 

AEASA believes that awareness is a form of prevention, and while it is important to recognize and resolve incidences of elder abuse, it is vital that older persons are informed of their rights and how to stand up for them.

 

On this day – or on the days leading up to and after – 15th June, AEASA invites you to acknowledge WEAAD by holding events designed to raise your community’s awareness of elder abuse.  Suggestions are arranging a talk on elder abuse  for community members of all ages, church or interest groups, or by acknowledging victims of elder abuse all over the world during a religious service or meeting.  Older persons might like to come together and enact the way in which they are mistreated, showing members of their communities the reality and pain of elder abuse.

 

AEASA would like to encourage communities, organizations, religious groups, businesses and individuals to come together on 15th June at noon, observe a period of one minute’s silence and light a candle in recognition of victims of elder abuse worldwide.  This does not require any resources other than a commitment to the cause; groups can come together in the workplace, churches, schools and in individual homes.

 

Please let us know if you are joining AEASA and INPEA in acknowledging WEAAD 2009 so that we can compile a list of participants.  It would be appreciated that if you are able to take photographs of your initiatives, these are sent to AEASA.  Lists and photographs will be forwarded to INPEA for inclusion in the global picture of the day and to show the commitment of South Africans to preventing the mistreatment of older persons and the creation of a world free of elder abuse.

 

 

 

Information on elder abuse or WEAAD is available from AEASA on request; contact details as per our letterhead.

 

 

 

 

WEAAD logo : INPEA – (International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse)

 

 

 

 

THANK YOU FOR YOUR INTEREST

WE LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR PARTICIPATION ON 15th JUNE 2009

 

 

 

PAT LINDGREN

DIRECTOR :  AEASA

CO-ORDINATOR : WEAAD SOUTH AFRICA

 

Tel:  021 4240574

e-mail:  pat@actiononelderabusesa.co.za