The United Nations
established Nov. 25 as the International Day for the Elimination
of Violence Against Women. While tremendous progress has
been made in this area, as women have become better educated
(education equals a better self-image and self-reliance),
there is still domestic abuse of women in America and culturally
sanctioned abuse of women in other nations.
Women, as the primary child
caregivers, have a special responsibility to impart to young
boys and girls alike, that violence against one another
is not acceptable and is, indeed, very wrong.
Children also need to be
shown other methods for settling disputes. Every person
– no matter how young or how old – deserves
to be safe from harm by those who live with them, care for
them and come in day-to-day contact with them.
Elder abuse has become a growing,
although often hidden, problem as more aging seniors have
become dependent on their adult children for their care.
Often, completely helpless
economically, these vulnerable, frail seniors are afraid
to complain and consequently suffer verbal, physical, psychological
or financial abuse.
Physical abuse involves rough
handling, withholding of physical necessities or medical
care. Psychological abuse, which is more common, can take
the form of verbal assault, social isolation, lack of affection
and denying seniors the chance to participate with respect
to their own lives.
Financial abuse involves the
misuse of money or property, including fraud or using funds
for purposes contrary to the senior’s needs and interests.
All forms of elder abuse can occur for a variety of reasons.
Sometimes those entrusted
to care for an elder do not have the necessary resources
such as knowledge, family support, time, temperament or
desire.
Abuse can occur when a caregiver
feels overwhelmed by other family issues, has a drug or
alcohol problem or feels resentment because of a loss of
freedom that comes with the responsibility of being a full-time
caregiver.
Women in many foreign countries
are captives of a culture that prohibits their education,
forces them to accept arranged marriages and legally permits
their rape as retribution for a crime, (real or imagined)
committed by any other member of the woman’s family.
Young girls in rural areas
of Malaysia and Thailand are, under pretense of being hired
for high-paying factory work in the cities, sold into prostitution.
LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD
As long as women in America
do not cry out against this violence wherever it exists,
in our own country or overseas, we are partially responsible
for its continuance. We can make our voices heard in the
following ways:
- Support groups like
Equality Now, which fights for women’s rights all
over the world, or Amnesty International, which agitates
to free those unjustly arrested or imprisoned.
- Call on our local
and state legislators to make sure there are adequate
advocates and services (such as reasonable day care) for
the elderly in our communities.
- Report suspected
domestic violence or abuse to the hot line, (800) 799-7233,
or call the Eldercare Locator at (800) 677-1116 for advice
or help on a variety of elder care problems.
As we gather with family and
friends this Thanksgiving, let us resolve to reach out to
our sisters here and abroad who hide in the shadows, alone
and afraid of the ever-present violence awaiting them. Shalom
and a peaceful Thanksgiving to you and yours.
Jean Cherni
is founder of Senior Living Solutions, a retirement advisory
service. Contact her at jeancherni@sbcglobal.net or
15 The Ponds, Branford 06405. H. Pearce Company REALTORS®
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