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Elder Abuse Training Curriculum |
The San Francisco Bay Area is a wonderfully diverse region with great cultural traditions. This diversity challenges us to provide law enforcement that responds to crimes against all and a legal system that provides equal access. Elder abuse is defined in Penal Code §368 and Welfare and Institutions Code §15600. It is a crime that includes financial abuse or fraud, sexual assault, emotional abuse or neglect, violations of personal rights, and physical abuse. Stress is never a defense to justify abuse. Elder abuse in the Asian community needs special care not only because many of our seniors do not speak English but also they are fearful of using our legal system. Our seniors might never report a crime, especially one hidden in the community such as elder abuse. Financial and physical abuse are wide-spread crimes but many Asian seniors believe that they must endure abuse, as if it was a fate that they must suffer until death. Because this abuse oftentimes occurs at the hands of their family members, caregivers, or acquaintances, they will not speak out. Asian seniors face often insurmountable barriers to getting help, working with law enforcement, and seeking court protections. These basic tools offer possible solutions: 1. Consider what the senior is thinking: Asian seniors minimize personal problems; they do not want to rock the boat. Immigration and economic circumstances force reliance on their children even if they are abusive. Children, spouses, or household members should not be used to translate since they often are the abuser or want to hide the abuse. 4. Consider why the senior is silent or seemingly uncooperative. Emotional and cultural conflicts make seniors reluctant to report or complain because they may believe they must endure the unendurable. Many fear or distrust police and courts based on experiences in the “old country.” Avoiding shame, embarrassment, and family conflict are strong cultural traits. 3. Consider language and culture. “Elder abuse” not used in Asian languages, ask about “conflict” rather than mistreatment. Many do not speak or read English, or may be illiterate in the seniors own language. 4. Consider immigration. Many fear deportation even if the have citizenship. Many have suffered years of war or other hardships. More recent immigrants are less familiar with rights and protections. 5. Determine what would make the senior more comfortable in reporting the abuse; perhaps the presence of a bilingual friend, minister, social worker or other familiar service provider. Many of the protocols we use in child abuse and sexual assault cases can be applied to elder abuse in our immigrant communities. 6. Partner with agencies or services in the Asian community experienced in serving seniors. Those of us in positions to provide assistance and protection should enlist co-workers and community services that are competent in understanding the senior's culture and language. Cultural sensitivity plus language skills are essential to gaining the trust of Asian seniors necessary to stop elder abuse. These needs added to age and health considerations make elder abuse in the Asian community a huge challenge. But with a dedication to meet the special needs of Asian seniors and partnerships with services that can support your work, we can begin to not only stop these crimes against the most vulnerable of our community but show that these crimes will not be tolerated. With a commitment to extra efforts, we can prevent elder abuse in all communities.
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