A recent report from Statistics Canada reveals a concerning surge in family violence against seniors across Canada. The report indicates a 49% increase in such cases since 2018. In 2024, there were 7,622 senior victims of police-reported family violence nationwide.
Senior victims of family violence were predominantly victimized by their children, with approximately one in four cases involving a spouse or another family member. Alexandra Lysova, a criminology professor at Simon Fraser University in Burnaby, British Columbia, expressed worry over the rise in elder abuse, emphasizing the importance of addressing this issue as the senior population grows.
Factors like cognitive decline and physical frailty pose serious risks for older adults, making them more vulnerable to abuse within their families. Economic challenges and housing affordability issues may contribute to the vulnerability of seniors in Canada, according to Lysova.
Despite the reported cases, many incidents of elder abuse go unreported due to various reasons, including a reluctance to expose family members as perpetrators. The way police record data on senior violence has evolved since 2018, potentially influencing the reported increase.
In British Columbia, the Seniors First B.C. hotline has witnessed a significant uptick in calls related to physical, financial, and emotional abuse of seniors. Executive director Marie-Noël Campbell highlighted the concerning trend of increasing violence against older adults, urging society to combat ageism and be vigilant for signs of elder abuse in loved ones.
Dan Levitt, B.C. seniors advocate, emphasized the importance of recognizing behavioral changes in seniors as potential indicators of abuse. With elder abuse on the rise, he stressed the need for open communication and support for vulnerable seniors.