1. Respect aging Section 2: PREVENTION Module 9: Root causes of violence Violence Prevention Initiative Respect Aging: Preventing Violence against Older Persons

2. Respect aging Agenda Welcome Brainstorming Learning together: Root causes of violence Small group activity Reporting back to whole group Wrap-up / Evaluation

3. Respect aging What is “violence”? Violence is accomplished through the abuse of power and control. Most commonly understood as a pattern of behaviour intended to establish and maintain control over family, household members, intimate partners, colleagues, individuals or groups.

4. Respect aging …is rooted in inequality. …violates people’s rights. …may also be a crime. Violence…

5. Respect aging Violence against older persons Cycle of family violence Devaluing and marginalizing Isolation = limited access to resources Intimate partner violence

6. Respect aging Control tactics Physical violence Humiliation, jealousy Creating dependency Isolation; watching Minimizing violence Threats

7. Respect aging The Cycle of Violence HONEYMOON TENSION EXPLOSION

8. Respect aging Caregiver stress Theory says caregivers lose control under stress But it is never okay to harm an older person Stress does not justify violence

9. Respect aging Being a supportive helper Be aware of power imbalances Acknowledge differences in power Provide information See older person as active participant Offer choices

10. Respect aging Tools Power and Control Wheel Advocacy and Empowerment Wheel

11. POWER AND CONTROL PHYSICAL Using physical force which results in pain or injury SEXUAL Forcing sexual acts or behaviors without consent PSYCHOLOGICAL Ongoing controlling behaviour; isolation EMOTIONAL Specific demeaning tactics such as making threats, intimidation VERBAL Using language to hurt or shame: yelling, lying, insulting FINANCIAL Stealing money; taking over bank accounts or possessions without permission CULTURAL Ignoring or ridiculing cultural traditions SPIRITUAL Not permitting religious observance of person’s choice NEGLECT Failing to meet the needs of the older person

12. BELIEVE AND VALIDATE Listen to and believe the older person. Acknowledge feelings and emphasize that she/he is not alone. ADVOCACY & EMPOWERMENT ACKNOWLEDGE INJUSTICE The violence perpetrated against the older person is not her/his fault. No one deserves to be harmed. RESPECT AUTONOMY Respect the older person’s right to make decisions about her/his own life. She/he is the expert in her/his own life. RESPECT CONFIDENTIALITY Meet with the older person privately, without caregivers or family members present. This is essential in building trust and ensuring safety. HELP WITH SAFETY PLANNING Help the older person develop a safety plan. Work out a place to go if she/he needs to escape. PROVIDE INFORMATION Provide the older person with information and options so she or he can make choices.

13. Respect aging Restoring power and control to the older person Empowerment through: Information Options Choices Involvement