Elders who are experiencing abuse often feel shame that can manifest among other barriers to accessing help. Community advocates from the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation and the N.W.T. say while more informal community supports may available, it can be difficult for older adults in abusive situations to access those supports without dedicated programs that allow for some level of protection and intervention.
Community experts from the Inuvik Justice Committee, Inuvialuit Regional Corporation, the Yellowknife Senior Society and the NWT Seniors Society gathered for a first of its kind webinar panel discussion for Elder Abuse Awareness Day this week.
Advocates examined the effectiveness of Elder abuse prevention and intervention programs, drawing from On the Land perspectives, restorative justice and community.
Kimberly Doyle, Executive Director of the Yellowknife Seniors’ Society, explained Elder abuse can affect anyone regardless of income level or other demographic categories they might belong to. It can also take multiple forms that can be difficult to recognize.
“Elder abuse is a complex issue that includes financial, physical, emotional, sexual and other types of abuse directed against older adults,” said Doyle.
Shirley Kisoun, an Elder and Trained Facilitator from Inuvik, emphasized that it is a complicated situation that affects many people, yet is often unseen.
“They’re financially abused, or they’re socially abused and they have nowhere to go. They have nobody to speak to,” said Kisoun.
“You try to reach out to them or just be with them and listen to them because sometimes they have nobody. Nobody else will listen to them.”
Karen Willy, Executive Director of the NWT Seniors’ Society explained that according to the federal Department of Justice, about one in ten Elders will experience some form of Elder abuse, but this statistic is likely not accurate.
“Because Elder abuse is largely unreported, the actual numbers are likely much higher.”
Willy said there is a large gap in access to prevention and intervention programs for older adults in communities across the N.W.T.
Having access to community based programs and informal support networks can help Elders who are experiencing abuse to get connected with resources to help.
Programs are most effective when they are designed by people in the community and delivered by them, she explained. And for programs do be effective, they have to do more than teach abuse awareness and prevention methods, they have to be welcoming spaces that build trusting relationships, added Willy.
Gatherings can be a good way to make room for prevention and intervention when they include activities that have the power to bring people together. While taking part in activities that people enjoy doing, it creates a relaxed atmosphere where it is possible to talk about elder abuse.
“Programs such as cooking, sewing, and men’s circles are where the people are most likely to talk about issues,” said Willy.
Kisoun spoke about knowledges and perspectives from On the Land programming and other community-based programming that can raise awareness and respond to Elder abuse.
Kisoun said that these spaces could prioritize Elders for their programs but also potentially serve as shelters for those experiencing abuse.
“On the Land programs would really help them because we do have a facility, the Gwich’in and Inuvialuit, we do have On the Land facilities where there’s capacity enough for our Elders to live comfortably out there for any period of time should they ever seek a shelter because right now, there’s no shelters in Inuvik [with space]”
Amy Whynot of the Justice Committee in Inuvik said they have found that the most effective approaches are those that strengthen community relationships and reduce isolation.
“A lot of our work and prevention focuses on workshops, education awareness and mostly connection.”
While the organization has hosted Elder abuse awareness and prevention workshops, the most effective tools of prevention were born indirectly from other programs.
“We have found value in programs that create opportunities for Elders to get out of their homes, out of their spaces and into the community, to gather, and to connect. And one example of that would be our ‘Puzzling Times’ program, where people came together, worked on puzzles and shared stories and built relationships, but also had access to conversations and information in a welcoming environment,” said Whynot.
“While education is important, we recognize in our office, that connection is a big part of that, and building relationships and trust matters and often needs to happen first. When people know one another and have those relationships, they’re more likely to check in on each other, and to feel comfortable reaching out for help or with concerns that they might have for themselves or for others,” added Whynot.
Whynot explained that preventing Elder abuse, what is needed is to create opportunities where Elders can feel safe and feel comfortable speaking.
Kisoun pointed out that one of the major challenges to implementing programs that allow for that has to do with lack of funding.
Another major obstacle has to do with the isolation of some Elders who live in remote areas. They are hesitant to seek help unless they have support from family or other people in their network.
“They need a strong support system whether it be family or friends or clergy or an organization that works with Elders.”
Kisoun said that while there are many wellness workers in the region, Elders experiencing abuse may be afraid to come forward without support from family or friends. Part of the reason for that has to do with fear of retaliation.
“They need that encouragement and support to reach out.”
Eva Kratochvil, the Victim Services coordinator for Inuvik, echoed Kisoun’s concerns that funding challenges as well as capacity challenges are major obstacles.
Kisoun added that families and caregivers are also in need of support alongside Elders.
“There’s got to be more support out there for not only the Elders but family, caregivers, and it’s the family as a whole so they can understand the hurt and the pain that the Elders are going through and be there to show compassion, empathy, and give the Elders their dignity, give them their love and respect.”
