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About ONPEA

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Our mandate
The Ontario Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse (ONPEA) is dedicated to raising awareness of elder abuse and neglect, through public education, professional training, advocacy, and service coordination. In addition to implementing Ontario’s Strategy to Combat Elder Abuse, ONPEA supports a growing number of vital projects and research in elder abuse and neglect prevention.

Specifically, ONPEA’s mandate is to:

• educate professionals and the public about elder abuse and neglect

• promote information-sharing among professionals and advocates involved in elder abuse prevention

• develop educational and training programs about elder abuse prevention and intervention for professionals and caregivers

• advocate for legislative action to meet the needs of victims and their families, and to deal with perpetrators of abuse

• provide services and support to victims of elder abuse and neglect

• practice and promote sensitivity to multicultural issues related to elder abuse.

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Our history
ONPEA was founded in 1989 and was incorporated as a charitable organization in 1991. ONPEA is governed by a voluntary Board of 12 members representing professionals, service providers, community organizations, volunteers, seniors and aboriginal groups. It has mounted numerous initiatives of regional, national and international nature. ONPEA has demonstrated leadership through following ways:

• Disseminating information and educational materials

• Building public awareness

• Providing province-wide ongoing communication through news releases, media interviews, presentations and electronic media (email and website)

• Providing elder abuse prevention training to organizations and individuals

• Working in collaboration with law enforcement and justice sector agencies, government departments and community groups to advocate for the safety of older vulnerable adults

• Liaising with provincial, federal and international agencies working in the elder abuse sectors

• Maintaining a collection of elder abuse resource materials to assist organizations and individuals in their local programs

ONPEA is the Head office for the International Network for the Prevention of the Elder Abuse (INPEA) Since INPEA has become an NGO of the United Nations Social and Economic Council, and as a member of INPEA, ONPEA is privy to all the communication and materials that flow from the UN. This allows us to have a “heads up” on policy related to ageing issues that are being generated. ONPEA is thus able to share most current learning’s with its partners and stakeholders.

ONPEA is working in partnership with INPEA and the Ontario Seniors Secretariat (OSS) on the development of the World Elder Abuse Awareness Day to be initiated on June 15, 2006.

ONPEA is a partner in the INPEA research agenda Worldview on Elder Abuse: An Environmental Scan/Needs Assessment. This study will document available research materials, support and services that currently exist on a global basis with view to identify gaps in each country. The next phase of the research will be to implement interventions and solutions. Partners in this work, such as ONPEA and OSS will have a major role to play in terms of identifying the Ontario Strategy to Combat Elder Abuse as a gold standards intervention. This will also be an opportunity to share Ontario’s Best Practices initiatives.

ONPEA’s programs and activities reach a wide audience across the province. Currently the Network is collaborating with a growing number of organizations, including educational institutions (i.e. University of Toronto, Ryerson University, Laurentian University, University of Guelph, Georgian and Sheridan Colleges), government ministries (i.e. Ontario Victim Services Secretariat, Ministry of the Attorney General, Ontario Seniors’ Secretariat, Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration, and Department of Justice Canada), and religious institutions (Ontario Consortium for Elder Abuse Awareness in Faith Communities). In addition, the Network supports and partners with 54 active Elder Abuse Committees and Community Response Networks in Ontario Communities

These partnering organizations deliver a broad range of programs and services in the catchment areas. Collectively, they reach thousands of Ontario citizens, and the information and support provided by ONPEA strengthens their capacity to provide their services.

The Network’s Annual Conference (2004 attendance level 400 participants) and quarterly Networking Days (average attendance 100 participants) have involved social service agencies, citizens, seniors, educators, students, law enforcement and justice sector personnel from across Ontario. ONPEA Members and volunteers have presented at more than 45 public meetings/forums in the past year.

ONPEA has a demonstrated track record of developing, delivering, and evaluating professional conferences. Examples of past events include:

• 2005 – As of May 2005, ONPEA delivered 10 Networking days to regions across Ontario

• 2004 – Ontario Elder Abuse Conference “Building on Experience: Innovation and Change.”

• 2002 – Ontario Elder Abuse Conference “Sharing Solutions: Defining the Future.”

• 2000 – Ontario Elder Abuse Conference “What’s New? What’s Working? What’s Next?”

• 1998 – Linking Ontario to the Broader Elder Abuse Community –Funded by Health Canada

• 1997 – “Abuse or Neglect” in collaboration with the Ontario Advisory Coalition (2-day conference)

The Ontario Strategy to Combat Elder Abuse – an Ontario-wide strategy to address and prevent abuse of seniors. The strategy focuses on three key areas: coordination of community services, training of front line staff from various sectors working directly with seniors, and a province-wide education campaign to promote awareness about elder abuse.

ONPEA received funding to develop a “Best Practices Resource Guide for the prevention of Abuse of Older Women” for the use by elder abuse committees, networks, and community agencies in responding to abused older women. The guide will help improve service provision and for frontline training and education.

Enhancing The Faith Community’s Capacity to Address Elder Abuse – a community program in partnership with faith leaders from Ontario-based religious institutions (i.e. churches, synagogues, temples, mosques, etc.) to address issues of senior’s abuse and neglect. –funded by Health Canada and the Ontario Trillium Foundation

Generations Together: Addressing Elder Abuse – an intergenerational program for youth and older adults. –funded by Health Canada, Communities Mobilization Program of Justice Canada.

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Annual reports 2005-6 2004-5
Newsletters Spring/Summer 2006 Winter 2006 Autumn 2005
Brochure 2007

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