Costa Rica reports rise in violence against older adults

San Jose, Jun 13 (Prensa Latina) Costa Rican specialists reported on Thursday a rise in cases of abuse, neglect and other damages against the elderly.

June 13, 2024
18:54

Affected citizens made nearly 700 calls for help in the last months, 339 of which (49.5%) were about specific situations of violence, added the Gerontological Association (AGECO) of the country.

The Socio-Legal Orientation Service of this specialized institution stated that during the first five months of 2024 alone, it registered 92 complaints of aggressions against the elderly.

Violence against this national sector assumes different expressions, especially physical, patrimonial, abandonment, negligence, psychological, sexual and gender violence, according to AGECO.

The reports precede the commemoration in Costa Rica on June 15 of the Day against Abuse, Mistreatment, Marginalization and Neglect of the Elderly, established in 2006 by an executive decree.

The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) further recognizes this date, under the name of Elder Abuse Awareness Day.

omr/apb