An Exploratory Study of Responses to Elder Abuse in Faith Communities

SUMMARY

This study, conducted by Ryerson University, The Ontario Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse, Older Women's Network, and the Centre for Applied Research (Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto) examines faith leaders' perceptions of elder abuse, the actions taken by them in response to suspected or disclosed situations of elder abuse, and their knowledge and understanding of resources and services available for elder abuse intervention. Survey data was collected using an instrument that contained both open and closed-ended questions. The results of the study revealed that two-thirds of the clergy interviewed knew of, or suspected elder mistreatment among their parishioners. Faith leaders identified lack of education about elder mistreatment, lack of knowledge and/or skill in intervention techniques and confidentiality issues as barriers to responding effectively to the abuse of elders.

KEYWORDS:

• Elder abuse
• faith leaders
• faith communities