A scene from the march.
Hundreds of Saint Lucians took to the streets of Vieux-Fort, Friday, with placards and slogans to raise awareness on the issue of elder abuse, and to recognise the contribution that elders have made to national development.
Organisers of the march stressed that the abuse of vulnerable seniors is inhumane, and that steps should be taken to improve the care that elderly persons receive.
“Elder abuse is something that is becoming an issue in Saint Lucia,” Director of the Division of Human Services, Elizabeth Lewis said.
“We have been receiving increased reports of elder abuse, and in many cases that we have seen, the abuse is coming from family members,” she continued. “It is our intention to raise awareness so that people can recognize that kind of behavior cannot continue. Elders are persons we need to cherish and respect. They have contributed to our communities.”
Manager of the Comfort Bay Senior Citizens Home Charmaine Hippolyte-Thomas highlighted the need to improve the care of elderly persons.
“I think that all of us are in a position to care for our elders and to be their advocates, thereby preventing them from becoming vulnerable to perpetrators of abuse. We want to eradicate the abuse of the older, more vulnerable persons in our communities; so we have to be their voice and see to it that they are not recipients of abuse of any kind.”
The march was the culmination of a series of events hosted in communities around the island in observance of Elder Abuse Prevention Month.