Planning an Event

This year will mark the fourth year that communities across Manitoba have recognized World Elder Abuse Awareness Day.  Since 2005, Manitoba has been a leader in Canada in recognizing this day through innovative approaches and events.

Researchers agree that the state of knowledge regarding elder abuse is about three decades behind the state of knowledge on child abuse and about one decade behind domestic abuse (Ontario Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse Core Curriculum & Resource Guide, 2008).  World Elder Abuse Awareness Day provides all of us with an opportunity to increase awareness of elder abuse, and the community supports available for those who need help.

This day also provides us with an opportunity to bring communities together to talk about an issue that is often hidden and collectively create a community that is supportive of older adults who are experiencing abuse. 

We would like to encourage you to collaborate with others to plan an event, or undertake an activity to raise awareness about the abuse of older adults in your community.  Although the possibilities are endless, this may include a presentation, training workshop for a specific group of individuals/professionals, an intergenerational event such as a parade, the reading of the provincial proclamation, coffee break, used the colour purple — which has been designated as the awareness colour for elder abuse — in a purple ribbon campaign, articles submitted to the local newspaper, announcement/interview on the local radio, etc.

If you have any questions, or would like information or assistance with planning an event in your community, please contact the Manitoba Seniors and Healthy Aging Secretariat at 945-1884 or 1-888-896-7183.  For more information on planning an event in health care facilities or abuse in these settings, please contact the Protection for Persons in Care Office at 788-6366 or 1-866-440-6366.

Additional resources for planning for WEAAD:

• Community Guide to Raise World Awareness on Adult Abuse, International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse