The government is delivering on its promise to create an elder abuse strategy that protects vulnerable seniors and victims, and enhances public safety.  This five year initiative reflects the government's vision of an Ontario where all seniors can live free from harm and with dignity.  The $4.33 million Strategy addresses three priorities:  Coordination of community services, training of front line staff and raising public awareness of elder abuse and where to go for help.  The Strategy is a partnership between the Ontario Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse (ONPEA), the Ministry of the Attorney General, Ontario Victim Services Secretariat, and the Ontario Seniors' Secretariat.

With the many competing demands for funding, why would a provincial elder abuse strategy be a government priority?

Elder abuse is a serious and growing problem that is totally inconsistent with the government's vision of a province where seniors are safe, live with dignity and are treated with respect.  Ontario is home to 1.5 million seniors and research indicates that currently four to ten percent (60,000-150,000) of them have experienced or are experiencing abuse of some kind.

Why doesn't the government just support more police action on elder abuse?

Elder abuse, while always reprehensible, is not always a crime.  Even when elder abuse is a criminal offence, seniors who are abused may not wish to report the incident to the police out of a sense of shame, or are unwilling to cause negative consequences for the loved one who has abused them.  While police are often not the best agency to assist an abused senior, they are a vitally important resource at the community level, and will be involved in the implementation of the strategy across Ontario.