PCC trials first ever elder abuse hotline

An anonymous hotline for reporting elder abuse – believed to be the first of its kind – has been funded and launched by the police and crime commissioner (PCC) for Essex Nick Alston.

He is working with the independent charity Crimestoppers and the Safeguarding Adults Boards of Essex, Thurrock and Southend to trial the hotline for nine months.

“Over the past couple of years, both locally and nationally, there have been a number of disturbing cases of abuse in care homes,” said Mr Alston.

“However, the abuse of elderly people is not just confined to care homes. It also, shockingly, can occur within the home.

“In many cases the perpetrators are known to the victims and may be carers and relatives, making the reporting of this crime extremely difficult for those suffering the abuse or who may fear it is going on.

“Elder abuse – like child abuse and online grooming – is one of the hidden harms plaguing our communities.”

He added: “I feel passionately that we must start to uncover these hidden harms and this anonymous phone line is just one way both to draw attention to the problem and more importantly to start to offer a solution to elder abuse.

“It’s important that elderly victims or people that know or suspect that elder abuse may be occurring feel they have somewhere to turn to report this information if they feel unable to go to police.”

Investigations into elder care have revealed shocking abuses of trust.

In 2013/14 there were 104,050 cases nationally in which concern was raised about the abuse of an adult – 63 per cent of these involved victims over the age of 65 (Safeguarding Adults Return Annual Report, England 2013/14).

In Essex there were 1,497 cases that involved individuals over the age of 65.

Mr Alston said elder abuse can be physical, emotional, psychological, financial or general neglect and it can happen anywhere – in a care home, hospital or the victim’s own home.

Now Mr Alston hopes the new hotline– which he says is the first ever to allow anonymous reporting – will help to stamp it out across the whole of Essex.

The hotline was launched last month with the support of television presenter Fiona Phillips at the Age Concern Day Centre in Chelmsford.

Ms Phillips, who is a staunch campaigner for the rights of the elderly, said: “Elder abuse is an extremely serious problem which can’t be ignored.

“It is everyone’s responsibility to make sure that our elderly communities are treated with the respect and dignity they deserve.

“That is why I am supporting this new reporting line. Hopefully it will encourage more people to speak up and take action if they know that something is wrong.”

National rollout

The phone line will be trialled in Essex, Thurrock and Southend and could potentially be rolled out across the UK if it is deemed a success.

Information can also be passed anonymously through an online form at www.crimestoppers-uk.org/essex-elder-abuse.

Mark Hallas, chief executive officer of Crimestoppers, added: “We all have a duty to protect our elderly community and this should involve speaking out if there is any suspicion that they are suffering abuse.

“It’s not always easy to report an issue like this – especially if the perpetrators are known to the victims. This is why an independent reporting line that people can call safely, securely and anonymously is so important.”

The line will be manned by Crimestoppers call handlers, who will pass on information to the relevant Safeguarding Adults Board.

Information will also be passed to the police if a crime is thought to have taken place.

Simon Hart, independent chair of the Essex Safeguarding Adult Board, said: “Elderly abuse is a concern in the UK. It is a key priority of the board that people are able to access advice and support when they need it, especially in times of crisis.”

Ian Gilbert, Southend-on-Sea Borough Council’s executive councillor for community development, said: “We must do all we can to protect our most vulnerable residents from any risk of harm, so we welcome