In the observance of the World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD), the Department of Social Welfare and Development – National Capital Region (DSWD-NCR), in partnership with the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) and Office of Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA) of Valenzuela City, participated on the pursuit for the awareness on abuse happening to Senior Citizens on June 8, 2018.

The activity was participated by representatives from the two pilot barangays in Valenzuela City; Barangay Malinta and Barangay Ugong, the LGU – Valenzuela City, OSCA staffs, CHO staffs, PNP staffs, DSWD – Central Office, DSWD – NCR, DILG staffs, NGOs, Senior Citizens Organization, City Councilor from the Committee of Senior Citizen and other member of the community.

Elder Abuse also called “elder mistreatment”, “senior abuse”, “abuse of older adults”, or “abuse in later life”; is a single or repeated act, or lack of appropriate action occurring within any relationship where there is an expectation of trust, which causes harm or distress to an older person. It includes harms by people the older person knows, or have a relationship with, such as a spouse, partner or family member, a friend or people that the older person relies on for services.

The search for Mr. and Ms. Ambassador and Ambassadress against Elder Abuse was one of the highlights of the celebration. This aims to determine the level of awareness of the Senior Citizens thyself on the possible abuse happening with and around them.  It also aims to advocate the community on how to prevent and take actions on Elder Abuse as well as be aware of their rights in the community. An ambassador and ambassadress will be crowned and hailed and their main responsibility is to promote and advocate the program during campaign for the replication to other cities and regions.