A recent report from Statistics Canada reveals a concerning surge in family violence against seniors across Canada. The data shows a 49% increase in such incidents since 2018. In 2024, there were 7,622 reported cases of senior victims facing family violence nationwide.
According to the report, seniors were most frequently victimized by their children, with about one in four cases involving a spouse or another family member. Alexandra Lysova, a criminology professor at Simon Fraser University, highlighted the worrisome rise in elder abuse, emphasizing that despite lower rates compared to other age groups, the issue should not be overlooked as the senior population grows.
Factors like cognitive decline and physical frailty put older adults at serious risk, making them more vulnerable to abuse within family dynamics. Economic challenges, stress, and communication breakdowns were cited as contributing factors to the vulnerability of seniors in Canada.
Lysova pointed out that the reported cases of elder abuse represent only a fraction of the actual incidents, as many victims do not come forward due to various reasons, including the reluctance to implicate family members. She also mentioned changes in police recording practices since 2018 as a possible reason for the increase in reported cases.
In British Columbia, the Seniors First B.C. hotline for elder abuse has seen a significant uptick in calls related to physical, financial, and emotional abuse since 2019. Executive director Marie-Noël Campbell noted the concerning trend of escalating violence against older adults and emphasized the importance of recognizing signs of abuse, given the societal issue of ageism.
B.C. seniors advocate Dan Levitt echoed the concerns, highlighting the need for heightened awareness of elder abuse and the importance of observing changes in seniors’ behavior. He emphasized the role of loved ones in identifying signs of abuse and providing support to vulnerable seniors.