A spokesperson for VLOCO, the support center for elder abuse in Flanders, revealed that more than 20 cases of violence against older individuals are reported every week in the region.

However, the actual number of incidents may be significantly higher, as many victims are reluctant to speak out due to fear and dependency on the perpetrators, often enduring the abusive situations silently.

In the past year, a total of 1,122 cases of elder abuse were registered in Flanders, averaging almost 22 reports per week. These figures align with the statistics from 2020 and indicate an increase compared to 2021. The data was released on World Elder Abuse Awareness Day by VLOCO, the CAW general welfare centers, and the 1712 helpline.

Psychological abuse emerged as the most prevalent form of mistreatment, followed by physical abuse, neglect, and violations of privacy and autonomy. Shockingly, two-thirds of the reported cases involved abuse perpetrated by individuals very close to the victims, such as partners or children.

Organizations working in this field attribute the abuse to caregivers who often feel overwhelmed and unable to cope with their responsibilities or who may be grappling with their own emotional, financial, or health issues.

Flemish Minister of Welfare, Public Health, and Family, Hilde Crevits, emphasized the complexity of elder abuse and stressed the importance of open dialogue. She highlighted the need for discussions about elder abuse involving the elderly themselves, their support networks, and professional caregivers and service providers. Photo by Cristina Gottardi cristina_gottardi, Wikimedia commons.