Access Keys:

How do you rate this information / service?

Find My Nearest
Enter your postcode to find services and information for your area on a map e.g. schools, libraries and GP surgery
Translate this web page

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day

Staff at a display for the World Elder Abuse Day 2009

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day - 15 June 2009

Cumbria County Council and the Safeguarding Adults in Cumbria board organised a very successful awareness raising event in Carlisle City Centre on Monday 15 June. 

There was information for the public, balloons and display boards provided by the county council Safeguarding Team and the Safeguarding Adults Board, Cumbria Constabulary and Age Concern.   Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service also attended to promote their free home safety checks.   Despite the thunder, lightning and hail, lots of information and balloons were given out and the response from the public was very supportive of the cause.  

We also got good media coverage - two half page articles in the News and Star and on Tuesday, Irene Cooper, Safeguarding Manager gave an interview to Bay Radio which was broadcast throughout the day to their listeners.   There was also a display in the Civic Centre foyer all week, highlighting the problem of abuse and neglect in Cumbria and this display will also be going round the libraries in Cumbria.

Linda Mason, County Manager Care Governance was delighted to be able to open the first World Elder Abuse Awareness Day to take place in Cumbria, which it is hoped will become an annual event, with involvement throughout all our regions within Cumbria. 

Linda explained: ‘Elder abuse is a world wide problem – with awareness raising events also taking place in Africa and India, North and South America and throughout Europe.   Adult abuse is no respecter of boundaries, status or geography and all the partners on the Cumbria Safeguarding Adults Board; (the county council, Police, health, statutory and voluntary sector) are committed to zero tolerance of adult abuse and neglect within Cumbria.  Protecting adults in Cumbria is a priority for the county council and the Safeguarding Board, who have increased the resources committed to this vital area.’

This was a very successful event, involving our partners in the statutory and voluntary sector.   It had the desired effect of raising the profile of safeguarding in Cumbria and promoting the help available to those suffering or at risk of abuse or neglect.