Respect aging Respect Aging Preventing Violence against Older

Respect aging Respect Aging: Preventing Violence against Older Persons Section 2: PREVENTION Module 9: Root causes of violence Violence Prevention Initiative

Respect aging Agenda • Welcome • Brainstorming • Learning • • Small together: Root causes of violence group activity • Reporting • Wrap-up back to whole group / Evaluation

Respect aging What is “violence”? • Violence is accomplished through the abuse of power and control. • Most commonly understood as a pattern of behaviour intended to establish and maintain control over family, household members, intimate partners, colleagues, individuals or groups.

Respect aging Violence… …is rooted in inequality. …violates people’s rights. …may also be a crime.

Respect aging Violence against older persons • Cycle of family violence • Devaluing and marginalizing • Isolation = limited access to resources • Intimate partner violence

Respect aging Control tactics • Physical violence • Humiliation, jealousy • Creating dependency • Isolation; watching • Minimizing • Threats violence

Respect aging The Cycle of Violence EXPLOSION TENSION HONEYMOON

Respect aging Caregiver stress • Theory • But says caregivers lose control under stress it is never okay to harm an older person • Stress does not justify violence

Respect aging Being a supportive helper • Be aware of power imbalances • Acknowledge • Provide • See differences in power information older person as active participant • Offer choices

Respect aging Tools • Power and Control Wheel • Advocacy and Empowerment Wheel

PHYSICAL Using physical force which results in pain or injury SEXUAL Forcing sexual acts or behaviors without consent Specific demeaning tactics such as making threats, intimidation PSYCHOLOGICAL Ongoing controlling behaviour; isolation VERBAL Using language to hurt or shame: yelling, lying, insulting POWER AND CONTROL CULTURAL Ignoring or ridiculing cultural traditions EMOTIONAL SPIRITUAL Not permitting religious observance of person’s choice NEGLECT FINANCIAL Stealing money; taking over bank accounts or possessions without permission Failing to meet the needs of the older person

BELIEVE AND VALIDATE Listen to and believe the older person. RESPECT Acknowledge feelings and emphasize that she/he is AUTONOMY ACKNOWLEDGE not alone. Respect the older person’s INJUSTICE right to make decisions The violence perpetrated about her/his own life. against the older person is She/he is the expert in not her/his fault. No one her/his own life. ADVOCACY & deserves to be harmed. HELP WITH SAFETY PLANNING Help the older person develop a safety plan. Work out a place to go if she/he needs to escape. EMPOWERME NT RESPECT CONFIDENTIALITY Meet with the older person privately, without caregivers or family members present. This is essential in building trust and ensuring safety. PROVIDE INFORMATION Provide the older person with information and options so she or he can make choices.

Respect aging Restoring power and control to the older person • Empowerment through: • Information • Options • Choices • Involvement