Reporting Abuse of the Aged
DESCRIPTION: |
Abuse or neglect of an aged person should be reported to a social worker. Abuse can be physical, emotional, sexual, financial, or simply involve neglect. In other words, abuse may include looking after an aged person in a way likely to hurt the aged person physical or mentally, or taking advantage of the aged person by demanding excessive payment. Once the abuse has been reported, the social worker must investigate the circumstances fully and submit a report to the Department of Social Development (Provincial). The investigation must include the professional opinion of a social worker as well as the opinion of medical staff. If the abuse is serious, then the matter could be referred to the courts, for an inquiry in terms of the Aged Persons Act, for a protection order in terms of the Domestic Violence Act, or for a criminal prosecution. An aged person may also simply be in of need accommodation, and there are a number of state-funded institutions to which an aged person can apply for subsidised accommodation. |
INSTRUCTIONS: |
To report abuse of an older person, you can call HEAL, an organisation co-funded by the Department, toll free on 0800 003 081 weekdays between 08h30 and 16h30, or contact them at: Halt Elder Abuse Line (HEAL) |
PROVIDED BY:
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GOVERNMENT BODY:
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Department of Social Development (Provincial Government of the Western Cape) |
The content on this page was last updated on 5 December 2006
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