A NEW service is being launched in Newry to tackle abuse of older people in Northern Ireland.
The Community Response Hub will be dedicated to helping the elderly and their families who have been affected by abuse and neglect.
The charity, Hourglass, said it had set up the hub due to the "abuse of older people rising from already unacceptable levels during the recent lockdowns".
The charity, which is dedicated to "calling time on the harm, abuse and exploitation of older people across the UK", said it will be Northern Ireland's only elder abuse-focused service working with victims, families, practitioners and partner charities who support older people.
The team based at the hub will provide advice, undertake casework, instigate pop-up clinics across the north and work with other agencies to raise the profile of the abuse of older people and safer ageing.
Recent research conducted by the charity in Northern Ireland found that 55 per cent of those surveyed believe abuse and neglect of older people has increased as a result of the pandemic restrictions.
It also found attitudes regarding what "counts" as abuse are thought to be fuelling the crisis with almost a quarter of those surveyed not recognising that "acts of domestic violence directed towards an older person" count as abuse.
Two in five of those surveyed said "not attending to an older person’s needs in a timely fashion" did not constitute abuse.
Richard Robinson from the charity said: "Abuse of older people is a very real issue all over the country, and sadly Northern Ireland is no exception.
"Our community-based work will allow us to create an end-to-end model that is desperately needed - from prevention and early intervention, right through to recovery and moving on from abuse.
"Everybody should be able to grow older safely and away from abuse and neglect.
"We want everyone in Northern Ireland to be able to recognise abuse and feel confident in how to help their loved ones or people in their care to have access to the resources and support they need."
