| Crimes against older people must be addressed |
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Tuesday 17 February 2009 The abundance of attacks on older people in the last few months has served to demonstrate that more protection is needed to safeguard the most vulnerable. That is the message being stressed by a campaigning and lobbying force for older people in Northern Ireland, in response to a strategy currently being proposed by the Northern Ireland Office. Age Sector Platform, which represents over 200,000 older people across Northern Ireland, has criticised the proposed community safety strategy entitled ‘Together. Stronger. Safer’, claiming that it demonstrates that older people appear to be well down Government’s list of priorities. Meg Holmes, a member of Age Sector Platform, commented: “Having experienced what it is like to be a victim of crime in recent years, it is disgraceful that older people barely get a mention in this proposed community safety strategy. With separate sections dedicated to the needs of families and young people, whilst ignoring the interests of older people, is it any wonder that we feel over-looked and irrelevant?” Ms Holmes continued: “Older people should not have to live in fear. Being the victim of crime in your later years, regardless of the severity, is a frightening and unsettling experience. For many older people it can lead to poor mental and physical health, increased social isolation and serve as a real barrier to remaining a full and active member of society. Therefore crimes against older people must be addressed.” Michael Monaghan, another Age Sector Platform member, explained: “Age Sector Platform is calling for a separate community safety strategy for older people. This is something which was promised many years ago to our members, many of whom participated with great enthusiasm in a consultation process dating back to 2003, and yet six years on it has still not been delivered. If Government believes that the current proposal will satisfy our needs, then they are severely mistaken.” Mr Monaghan continued: “Considering that policing and justice will become a devolved matter, we urge our local politicians to support our call for a separate community safety strategy for older people. On behalf of the older population, we will be contacting the Office of the First and deputy First Minister (OFMDFM), which has responsibility for older people, to ensure that older people’s concerns are heard and that they are given the priority status they deserve.” |
