Years of the research: 2013
Country: Ukraine
Language: Ukrainian, Russian
Keywords:
Abstract:
Survey, 1415 individuals aged 60+ were interviewed in 15 (out of 24) oblast cities in Ukraine. In Poltava the respondents were selected at the local residential institution for older people. It was found out that elder people believed that they suffered from elder abuse. The majority of respondents (32%) believe that officials are abusers, the least number of respondents (1%) complain of police. Sadly 16% report that their families abuse them. Most popular forms of elder abuse are swearing (31%) and neglect (26%). It was also revealed that many respondents were abused in some form which was not in the list (34%). This index was the highest in the replies from people living in the institution (78%). The obtained data helped TLU to channel its activity into the right direction. Firstly, there were trained about 300 volunteers aged 60+ who reveal the cases of abuse, provide support to the victims and do individual advocacy. Secondly, there were established safeguarding committees at the city councils in a range of Ukrainian cities.
Researchers:
Type of research: regional
Target group: Elder people, central and local governments, Ministry of Social policy and local depatments of social protection, Ministry of Home affaiors and local police departments, Ministry of Health Protection and local medical institutions< mass media, NGOs
Sample:
1412 older persons aged 55-100 in 15 oblast cities of Ukraine were interviewed. 15 groups (each containing 10-12 elder volunteers) were trained to interview these older people in their cities. The questionnaire (structured?) was developed by the Ukrainian Psychiatric Association (UPA). The volunteers interviewed elder respondents in various settings: parks, banks, social protection agencies, cafes, shopping centres, etc. The data were processed by students Of Kiev Polytechnic Institute and analysed by joint group of UPA and TLU staff. In Poltava the residents of the local institution for old people were interviewed.
Aims/Objectives/Background:
The phenomenon of elder abuse has never been recognised in Ukraine. Although many older people suffer from elder abuse and age-related discrimination the society pretended that nothing bad may happen to Ukrainian seniors. Unfortunately in the text of the Law on Home Violence only children are described as victims and all procedures are focused on children. Old people are helpless and no governmental institution has any legally recognised tool to protect them. Ukrainian Charity “Turbota pro Litnih v Ukraini” (Age Concern Ukraine) made a survey aimed to reveal what do elder people think of elder abuse in Ukraine, who are the abusers (from their point of view), what types of abuse are most prevalent. 1415 individuals aged 60+ were interviewed in 15 biggest cities in Ukraine. The questionnaire was developed on our request by a group of researchers from Ukrainian Psychiatric Association. The interviews were performed by groups of trained volunteers. The received data were presented to members of city councils in all cities participated in the survey, to the staff of the Ministry of Social policy of Ukraine and to the staff Ministry of Home Affairs of Ukraine.
Findings/outcome/conclusion/research questions:
The obtained data demonstrated that elder abuse really exists in Ukraine although hade never ever recognised. The received findings helped TLU to channel its activity into the right direction. Firstly, there were trained about 300 volunteers aged 60+ who reveal the cases of abuse, provide support to the victims and do individual advocacy. Secondly, there were established safeguarding committees at the city councils in a range of Ukrainian cities. Our task is to reveal, what do elder respondents meant by the “other” when asked about types of abuse.
Publication/reports: Presented in the form of brochure.
Financed by: Ass a component of the EC project 2010/253-515 "Preventing Elder Abuse in Ukraine".
Contact person: Galina Poliakova poliakova-tlu@i.ua
Copyright
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