The Victims Unit commemorates the International Day of Awareness of Abuse and Maltreatment of elderly, from the Regional Centers of Attention to Victims in the department of Atlántico.

The Victims Unit with the aim of raising awareness among the victims of armed conflict about the social stereotypes that exist around the elderly, and the violation of human rights that violence involves towards the elderly, is leading in Barranquilla and Soledad, generational meetings of promotion and reflection to commemorate the International Day of Awareness of Abuse and Maltreatment of the elderly, which is celebrated this June 15.

From the Regional Center for Victim Assistance in Barranquilla and Soledad, the Differential Approach professionals of Unit, and psychologists from the district and municipal health secretariat, socialize victims with the rights and duties of this population within the family, community and society, explaining the physical, psychological and social abuse and maltreatment to which elderly people are exposed every day.

Alfredo Palencia, territorial director of the Victims Unit in the Atlantic, said that older people should be recognized as key and important subjects in the transmission of knowledge and values. Likewise, he highlighted the differential attention that the entity offers to the victims who are in that vital moment.

"Commemorating this day is fundamental for the Victims Unit. Our institution in a transversal way has the duty to practice the Differential Approach, precisely pondering the age and condition of the elderly to receive priority compensation, in order to comply with that level of awareness that the State and its public servants implement in the daily attention to elderly victims", said Palencia.

"It is necessary to recognize that many of them continue to be productive people, and not only economically, but also emotionally, and this is an added value within the home, because they are the basis of training in families", he added.

The General Assembly of the United Nations, in its resolution 66/127, designated June 15 as World Day of Awareness of Abuse and Elder Abuse.

(Fin/HDP/LMY)