Unreported incidents of GBV among older people a concern: CGE

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The Commission for Gender Equality (CGE) is concerned about unreported incidents of abuse of elderly people.

The CEO of the Commission Joyce Khutsoane says they have learned that victims do not report these incidents because they are not informed on how and where to report them.

Khutsoane says it has come to their attention that several elderly people are abused physically and emotionally.

She says there are incidents where elderly people are abused economically, where their children take their old-age grant cards and use the money as they please.

Speaking on Motsweding FM current affairs show, Khutsoane says things will be better if society comes together and form programs that will enlighten elderly people about different types of abuse and how to report them.

“The Department of Social Development and the South African Police Services must lead the program to inform and teach elderly people about gender-based violence (GBV). When the elderly do not have an understanding of what it is, GBV incidents are going to continue unreported. I think if we can all come together as a society and teach our elders about GBV, by doing so, we will be able to stop these incidents.”