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SINGAPORE: Singapore's main centre for dealing with elder abuse said its caseload has doubled over the past three years.
So Safe@Trans launched a campaign on December 28 to target such family violence.
Singapore is facing an ageing population and as the elderly population grows, there is a worry that more elder abuse cases may come to light.
Safe@trans which offers help to sufferers is already seeing more cases.
Some 60 new cases were referred to the Centre as of October last year, double from 2006.
Alvin Chua, senior social worker, Safe@Trans, said: “They come to us with various problems. It can be physical abuse, financial abuse, neglect. Some of them are not given food or money. So that amounts to neglect and also cases of abandonment where their children don't want them. They just ask the elderly to leave and go to the streets.
80-year-old Mr Tan who was abused by his son, was one of those who received help.
He said: "He took the walking stick and hammered me several times. His wife told him to stop because I was bleeding a lot. I was just quiet. How can I fight with him when I’m so old already?"
Mr Tan is now living on his own in a two-room rented flat.
Safe@Trans said more must be done to help male sufferers like Mr Tan break their silence.
The centre said from the 60 new cases from January to October 2009, women make up 70 per cent while men only 30 per cent.
Mr Chua added: "It is kind of unmanly for a man to step up and for him to acknowledge that I've been abused by my children. So they may also not have the social support network to tell them where help is available. So they don't step up forward, and we don't see that many at this point in time."
Safe@Trans said children of the elderly form the largest group of abusers with sons making up more than 50 per cent.
Care-giving stress is the most common reason for abuse. So, the drive also wants to encourage the perpetrators to get help.
The organisation has launched a public education drive called "Respect , not hurt: Stop Elder Abuse".
The highlight of the campaign will be a roadshow to be held on January 9 at Toa Payoh Hub.
Generally though, the number of reported complaints of alleged elder abuse in Singapore has been relatively stable.
In fact, the number of reported elder abuse cases from 2004 to 2008 for example, dropped from close to 200 cases to 145 cases. - CNA/vm
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