On World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (15th June 2020) South Wales Police & Crime Commissioner, Rt Hon Alun Michael, has called on the communities of South Wales to help tackle the hidden harm of elder abuse.

The Commissioner said:

“Protecting vulnerable people is our number one priority, and throughout the Covid-19 outbreak we've been working with our partners to try to enable people who are the subject of those harms to know that they're not alone and that help is available.

“Today on World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, I want to publicise that form of hidden harm and ask your help in tackling it.

“Elder abuse is often thought of as physical, but it can come in many forms, it can be emotional, it can be financial and of course neglect is itself a form of abuse.

“I say this to you directly - if the behaviour of a family member, or a carer, or anybody else, gives you cause for concern, and to believe that somebody is vulnerable, please report it. You can report to social services, or you can report to South Wales Police.

“I am asking everybody across our communities, whether it's postal workers, delivery drivers neighbours, or friends, to be a part of the solution by reporting anything that you see, if it concerns you that an older person is subject of harm.

“Together we can protect people from harm and bear in mind that some older people may not recognise what's happening to them, and may not be able to make a report themselves.

“Please be assured that if you make a report it will be treated confidentially and sensitively.

“You can report your concerns to your local social services team, or to South Wales Police via 101 and if you think that somebody is in really imminent danger, then, report it as an emergency to 999.

“Thank you very much – diolch yn fawr”

Advice and support is to help protect protect and safeguard older people is available from the Older People’s Commissioner for Wales website here.