CRP Sisak implements the program “STAR 2 – Older People Should Think Actively”.
Abuse of older people is a serious social issue that can compromise their safety, dignity, quality of life, and mental health. It is not limited to physical harm; it can also be psychological, emotional, or financial. Such abuse often remains hidden precisely because it occurs within the family or is perpetrated by individuals whom the older person trusts.
Financial abuse is particularly difficult to recognize.
Financial abuse involves the exploitation of an older person’s money, property, or other assets. This can take the form of fraud, extortion, breach of trust, pressuring an older person to relinquish their property, or the irresponsible management of their funds.
Perpetrators often exploit the vulnerability and trust of older people to gain control over their finances. We are also seeing an increasing number of telephone and online scams, where perpetrators misrepresent themselves to offer various products or services.
Unfortunately, older people sometimes fail to report such incidents due to shame, fear, or the concern that they might lose their independence.
Therefore, it is important to emphasize: a victim of fraud is not to blame for what happened to them.
We can more effectively prevent abuse if we know how to recognize its signs. It is important to listen to older people, inform them about their rights and protection options available to them, and provide support if they find themselves in a situation involving violence.
Special attention should be paid to older people who live alone and have no family or friends they can rely on.
Family members, neighbors, healthcare and social workers, and others who come into contact with older people also play an important role. Timely recognition of changes in behavior, financial circumstances, or relationships with others can be the first step toward protection.
Better protection is needed
In Croatia, protection against violence is governed by various regulations, including the Act on Protection against Domestic Violence. Nevertheless, the protection of older people requires additional attention and the continuous improvement of the system.
It is necessary to discuss violence against the elderly more openly—through public forums and interactive workshops—while educating the public and professionals, ensuring that victims have access to assistance, and improving legal frameworks and their implementation.
Protecting older people is not merely a legal matter; it is a question of respect, dignity, and the responsibility of society as a whole.
No one should ever be considered “too old” to have the right to a life free from violence!
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