55 SENIOR ABUSE AWARENESS legalinfopei.ca Abuse can be a crime. For example, assault and theft are crimes. Victims of abuse may not report abuse because they: • Are afraid of the abuser. • Are afraid of what will happen to the abuser. • Don’t think anyone will believe them. • Have low self-esteem and feel responsible for the abuse. • Are dependent on the person. • Experience language or cultural barriers that make it hard to report abuse or access services. • Are afraid they will be put in an institution or forced to leave their home. • Don’t think that anyone could help them. • Are ashamed to tell anyone that a family member is abusing them. • Are afraid of being shunned by the rest of the family. • Are afraid of being denied access to the grandchildren. Family or friends may not report abuse because they: • Don’t know who to call. • Fear the abuse may get worse if they say anything. • Are afraid they will have to take over the care of the older person. • Don’t want to interfere or get involved. • Don’t know if the abuse is a crime. • Fear they will damage relationships with other family members. • Are asked by the older person not to report it. • Aren’t sure if abuse is occurring. • Are afraid of the abuser. Service providers may not report the abuse because they: • Fear breaching confidentiality. • Don’t know if the abuse is a crime. • Think the older person won’t be able to testify in court. • Think the older person would deny the abuse is happening. • Are asked by the older person not to report it. • Are afraid of the abuser. Why is abuse often not reported?
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