PN shadow Minister for Active Ageing Paula Mifsud Bonnici called for a policy which truly protects the elderly from all forms of abuse, be it physical, emotional, psychological or even financial.

Mifsud Bonnici commemorated World Elder Abuse Awareness Day in a statement on Saturday, to raise awareness about the need to protect elderly from all forms of abuse.

“Unfortunately, we are witnessing an increase in the number of cases of elder abuse, with the latest figures showing that 70% of the cases are of domestic violence,” she said.

She said that the numbers are much higher since many elderly people are afraid to report abuse, especially if it comes from a family member or from those who are supposed to take care of their health and well-being.

“The Nationalist Party remains committed to ensuring that everyone in our country enjoys a good quality of life. Therefore, on this day, the Nationalist Party is reiterating its promises to ensure that Malta has legal and social structures that strengthen the fight against abuse,” Mifsud Bonnici said.

She said that the PN believes that government should invest in more training for professionals working in this sector, so that they can better recognise abuse, as well as invest in more services that provide all the necessary protection to those elderly people who become victims of some form of abuse.

“The PN remains committed to seeing that this government brings before Parliament laws on the protection of vulnerable persons, which it has been promising for many years, if it truly believes in the dignity and respect for the elderly,” Mifsud Bonnici said.