Elder Abuse Awareness

“Age is whatever you think it is. You are as old as you think you are” ~  Muhammad Ali

Learn the signs and break the silence

Elder abuse is any action or inaction by self or others that jeopardises the health or well-being of any older adult.

Elder abuse can take several forms including financial, emotional, physical, sexual, neglect and medication. Often more than one type of abuse occurs at the same time. The two most frequently identified and reported types of elder abuse in Canada are financial and emotional.

• Who to call if you suspect a senior is being abused
• Facts on elder abuse
• Elder abuse resources
• World Elder Abuse Awareness Day
• Seniors Canada website
• Addressing Elder Abuse in Alberta: A Strategy for Collective Action   

Coordinated Community Response Grant Program

The Taking Action Against Elder Abuse Coordinated Community Response Grant Program is a 3-year initiative aimed at supporting the development or enhancement of coordinated community response models.

• 2015-16 Grant Recipient Summaries
• 2014-15 Grant Recipient Summaries

Stop financial abuse

Financial abuse is one of the most frequently reported forms of elder abuse in Alberta. To help you learn the signs of financial abuse, how to protect yourself from it, and what steps you can take if you or someone you know is experiencing financial abuse, a PowerPoint presentation is available for you to download to share with others.

• Download, watch and share the Financial Abuse Prevention PowerPoint show – 209MB .ppsx
  • Note: The Elder Abuse video is embedded in the first slide.

Help for victims of crime

The Criminal Code of Canada sets out a variety of criminal offences that can occur in the context of elder abuse. These include offences such as physical or sexual assault; offences against the rights of property, such as property theft, forgery and extortion; and other offences such as breach of trust and fraud. While no one ever expects to be a victim of crime, it is important to know there is help available to you.

If you have been a victim of crime, your first step is to call the police. They will investigate the crime and refer you to the Victim Services Unit for assistance. Victim Services Units are staffed with trained, caring people who offer information, assistance and support to victims during the police investigation and throughout the criminal justice process.

• For more information contact your local police, or
• Call 780-427-3460 (toll-free by first dialing 310-0000), or
• Visit the Victim Services Unit website at www.victims.alberta.ca

Article by the Alberta Government

The New Bullying Prevention © 2016

Ontario Taking Action to Protect Young Workers

News Release May 27, 2016

“Our youth are our future, and as such, we must ensure that we do our utmost to protect them. We need to do what we can to make sure that young workers are treated fairly at work, and are able to come home safe and sound to their families after their shifts.”
 ~ Kevin Flynn, Minister of Labour

As young people across Ontario start looking for summer jobs, Ontario is launching several initiatives to protect young workers in seasonal, part-time or temporary employment.

Workers that are new to their job, including young workers, are three times more likely to be injured in the first month than at any time. They are also at greater risk of having their employment standards rights violated, such as those involving unpaid wages or hours of work.

The Ministry of Labour’s initiatives include:

• Launching two province-wide inspection blitzes on health and safety and employment standards, focusing on protecting young workers throughout the summer
• Promoting “It’s Your Job,” a province-wide online video contest encouraging young workers to speak out about their workplace rights
• Supporting “Bring Safety Home,” a Workplace Safety & Prevention Services campaign targeting parents and other networks of young people
• Supporting the creation of #safeforlife, a youth-driven digital media campaign by Parachute Canada

Protecting young workers is part of the government’s continued commitment to prevent workplace injuries and illness through its Safe At Work Ontario enforcement initiative.

QUICK FACTS

• Every year, more than 6,000 young workers across Ontario are injured seriously enough to need time off work; that’s equivalent to nearly 17 Ontario youth a day.
• There were 17 young worker fatalities (15 to 24 years old) from 2010 to 2015.
• Ontario is one of only a few places in the world to require occupational health and safety education in schools. It is part of the curriculum from kindergarten to Grade 12.
• The Ministry of Labour has conducted a new and young worker health and safety blitz annually for the past eight years. This year’s blitz will be the ninth.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Helping to Protect Young Workers

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

How to protect young workers on the job and ensure they are treated fair.

Ontario Launches $222 Million First Nations Health Action Plan

Ontario Investing up to $900M in Energy Retrofits for Social Housing, Private Residential Apartment Buildings

The New Bullying Prevention © 2016

Aiken teens make anti-bullying film

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Over the past four months, more than 60 teen and adult actors and technical assistants from the Aiken Community Playhouse Youth Wing, Mead Hall Episcopal School and Aiken residents have volunteered to make a bullying and suicide-prevention short film titled “Intercepted,” which was released on YouTube in January.

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Producer and director Sarah Massey said she would like everyone in Aiken to help stop bullying by viewing “Intercepted” on YouTube and sharing it on Facebook and other social media sites.

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“I wanted to make a film that could touch people’s lives,” Massey said. “By making this film, I want to take part in the movement to bring an end to bullying and to inspire others to bring hope and life to victims of bullying through simple acts of kindness and friendship. We have the potential of making this film go viral, which will make an enormous impact on bullying and suicide-prevention efforts throughout our community, nation and world.”

“Intercepted” was filmed at eight Aiken locations and will be entered into 2015 national film competitions.

It tells the story of a bullied teen named Jason who struggles with depression and suicidal thoughts until a simple act of kindness turns his life around forever. Through the encouragement of a newfound friend, Jason rises to become a popular leader at school and the valedictorian. He uses his graduation speech to tell his story, inspiring everyone with the power of kindness that saved his life.

After viewing “Intercepted,” Aiken resident Betty Ryberg wrote, “… I am moved that these students created this very worthwhile film … When adults are asked about a very difficult time in their youth, they often credit a coach, teacher, neighbor, classmate with a simple gesture that pulled them through. Never underestimating the positive influence you can have on an adolescent is a wonderful approach to community living. If parents instill kindness in children, those same children will become natural helpers for the rest of their lives. Think of the agony that can be spared by simple acts of kindness.”

Jim Anderson, the former director of the Aiken Community Playhouse Youth Wing said, “This short film is critical for people in our community to see on two primary levels. First and foremost, bullying and teen suicide continue to be a scourge on our youth, and we must continue to raise awareness and shine a bright light on this dark and tragic problem we face as a society and as an Aiken community. … Second, the fact that youth in our community have taken the initiative to tackle this subject matter through one of the most powerful influencers of our time, film and media, is an incredible validation of the need to support the development of theater, performing and film arts in our community.”

Mead Hall Episcopal School’s Middle/Upper School Director Joanne Morton said, “Mead Hall was pleased to participate with Sarah Massey in this excellent project. ‘Intercepted’ provides a positive message of kindness that students can apply at school.”

“Intercepted” can be seen on YouTube at http://bit.ly/1A3bAcH.

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SUBMITTED ARTICLE mystory@aikenstandard.com – Jan 10 2015 12:29 pm

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Teacher Caught On Tape Bullying Little Girl, Watch Her Fight Back With A Swift Kick To His Testicles

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Parents Say Bullying Drove Daughter To Suicide

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A middle school student in Bardstown took her own life just days before Christmas and her family says it happened because she was being bullied at school.

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Reagan was a normal 7th grader who loved Starbucks, taking selfies and traveling. However her parents, Bill and Melanie Hack, say that their bubbly daughter had reached a breaking point with a group of female bullies at her middle school. With a bottle of pills, the Hacks say their daughter attempted to numb the pain.

Regan collapsed and died a few days later.

Now the living room in the family’s home is stuck in time, Christmas morning. Nothing in the home has been touched and the presents have not been opened.

Hindsight in situations like these is always 20/20. The Hacks say they believe they could have done more to help their daughter but they say the school should have done more too.

Melanie says she visited the school three times this semester to take up the issue with the school’s principal, but the threats and name calling continued. Regan’s home wasn’t even a safe haven for the 12-year-old because the bullying was also bad on social media.

But now the Hacks, and families of kids in similar situations, have rallied around the memory of Regan vowing to spread a message.

“My daughter doesn’t have a voice anymore, but this community is gonna make sure she does. And I’m damn sure gonna make sure she does,” says Bill Hacks.

If there’s anything positive to come out of Regan’s tragedy, Bill and Melanie say their daughter was an organ donor.

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Watch the video and learn more here – Posted: Jan 01, 2015

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Teen dies after classroom ‘bullying stunt’ goes wrong as teacher looks on

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In a cruel prank caught on camera, pupils wrapped Sergei Casper in cling film so he couldn’t move, causing him to fall over and suffocate

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Prank: Sergei was wrapped up so tightly he could not move

A teenager has died after a prank by school bullies went wrong – in full view of the pupils’ teacher.

Sergei Casper, 17, was the subject of a stunt that involved wrapping him in cling film so he couldn’t move his arms and legs, and putting him feet-first into a toilet.

His classmates then took him back to his classroom in the Russian capital Moscow where his teacher was sitting.

But, still unable to move, Sergei lost his balance and fell towards the teacher’s desk, hitting his throat on the table.

Having hit and crushed his oesophagus, he then lay on the floor suffocating as his classmates laughed in the background.

By the time they realised he was seriously injured, he was already in a critical condition and despite an ambulance being called, he later died.

Police are now investigating the circumstances surrounding the death, amid claims that Sergei had been a happy and popular student until he joined Polytechnic College Number 8.

It has been claimed classmates started bullying him because of his love of the arts.

One of his friends, named Alexander, told local media: “He was a good guy, he never did anything bad to anyone and he was my friend. But the others just picked on him all the time.”

Speaking about the prank, he added: “They seemed to think it was hilarious, and then they decided to take their prize back to the classroom where although the teacher was sitting at her desk, she did absolutely nothing to help him.”

The school has denied they were aware of a bullying problem, but also added that those involved in the bullying had been expelled.

One student who took part in the stunt said it was simply a joke that had gone tragically wrong.

But Sergei’s parents have demanded to know why the teacher who was in the classroom did nothing, and quote school friends who say that the bullying had gone on for months with nobody taking action.

Police are continuing their investigation.

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Watch the video here – Dec 30, 2014 13:04 By Jessica Best

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Anti-bullying Week: Ex-Pride director and LGBT champion on not being a bystander

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Ex-director of Manchester Pride, champion of Village businesses and all-round LGBT hero Jackie Crozier writes on the importance of not being a bystander to crime.

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I’ve spent a lot of my career trying to fight prejudice and stereotypes – and promote equality – particularly among LGBT communities.

When I was Chair of Manchester’s Village Business Association, I pushed for a new art project to inject life and pride back into ‘Our Village’.

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One reason behind the street art scheme was to demonstrate to passers-by that we are proud of who we are and our history. We also wanted to show that we stand up for ourselves, together, through thick and thin.

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As Manchester Pride’s Festival Director I was privileged to lead celebrations of LGBT lifestyle and culture in Manchester and, together with our staff, supporters, volunteers, patrons and partners, raised hundreds of thousands of pounds for LGBT community groups and charities in the process.

Despite no longer holding either of those posts I know that I can still help make a difference. I know that we all have a duty and a responsibility to make the world a better place – no matter what we do. That’s why we all need to step up and make a difference.

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This Anti-Bullying Week 2014, I’ve been particularly struck by one campaign in particular from lesbian, gay and bisexual equality charity Stonewall.

Stonewall’s #NoBystanders campaign is simple, hard-hitting and inclusive of all and any group who may suffer bullying and prejudice. Its campaign video shows children hearing hateful language from a young age, and demonstrates the way it can progress into adulthood.

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And what does #NoBystanders ask of its audience? Pledge to not be a bystander – and stand up for those around you who are being bullied or abused for being who they are.

Sounds pretty simple, I think?

Then do it. Be a role model. Don’t be a bystander. If you hear it, or see it, then stop it. I know I will.

And I know that, as a city that looks after its own, that you’ll do it too, Manchester.

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No Bystanders is gay rights charity Stonewall’s campaign to tackle bullying and abuse in the LGBT community. It takes place during Anti-Bullying Week from November 17-21.

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For more on this story – 20 Nov 2014 – 09:24AM | By Jackie Crozier

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• Stonewall CEO Ruth Hunt says she is ‘very aware’ of gay footballers in the Premier League

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• Alberta Liberals introduce bill to aid gay youth in schools, combat bullying

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• Hate Crimes in Cyberspace, by Danielle Keats Citron



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• Pupils Speak Out: Wrath and hate where there should be warmth and love

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Anti-bullying Week 2014

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Monday 17 November marks the start of Anti-bullying Week 2014, coordinated by the Anti-Bullying Alliance.

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This year’s focus is to Stop bullying for ALL children and young people – including disabled children and those with special educational needs, children who are significantly more likely to experience bullying in schools and the wider community.

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Further information and support from the CPSU

• Anti-bullying pages
• Anti-bullying Resources
• Bullying video clip – concerns arising within sport

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Visit the Anti-bullying Alliance website for further information on Anti-bullying Week and details of how to get involved.

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Related

Official News Release: Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week at NPSC: “Stand Up! (to bullying)”

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Would You Rather Have a Gay Child or a Dead Child?

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I am sorry if the title of this post shocks you, or strikes you as harsh or over-dramatic. But honestly, parents don’t realize what they’re asking of their LGBTQ kids. And they don’t realize what their rejection is doing to them.

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This is not about inclusion. This is a matter of life and death.

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By making their children stick to their own expectations and standards for them — whether they really think their gay child is going to hell or honestly are just ashamed of them — parents are asking their kids to change something inherent, something that son or daughter can’t change. No matter how much they pray or plead. It’s just not happening.
And the message that sends is absolutely devastating. It tells our kids (young, teens or adults) that they are broken, not okay, for whatever reason.

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It’s plain wrong. And it can be tragic.

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The suicide statistics for LGBTQ youth is alarming — 40% of gay youth contemplate suicide, 50% of transgender youth – 4 to 5 times the rate for their straight peers. And gay youth who come from highly rejecting families are 8.4 times as likely to have attempted suicide as gay peers who reported no or low levels of family rejection.
I have been in dialogue with a close friend about my support and affirmation of gays, and I am heartsick. We are going to meet for coffee, to see if we can find any common ground. She follows Jesus too, so that should be our common ground. But people get disjointed about this, bent out of shape, worked up.
She has already expressed her deep disapproval in me. I am simply loving without condition, which my main job in life (and it’s hers, too!). To even think about meeting with her makes me queasy, but I must speak up for those who deserve to be spoken for.
Just imagine the one who IS gay. How do they feel? Having to discuss this with a family member who doesn’t approve, and other family members, and friends, and church, and society. No wonder this is so hard to walk through. No wonder they feel so alone, because they essentially are so alone.
Family… we are supposed to love and support each other no matter what. If our own family won’t do that, how does that impact our confidence that anyone else can?
Imagine the depth of the shame of a child rejected, condemned, shunned by parents. Or the shame that comes from parents who just “tolerate” their gay child, but the child clearly knows the parents are disgusted by who they are.
And imagine a parent conveying the message that God too is ashamed and disgusted?
Shame is not a good motivator, it’s a horrible motivator that can destroy a person’s heart and spirit. Shame only makes a person feel fundamentally defective, and no one has the right to do that to someone else.

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EVERYONE deserves to be treated as a human being. Even people you might disagree with.

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I know this can be hard. Please don’t go through it alone. Seek out people to talk to – people who will support and encourage you – people who will affirm, accept and love your gay child, and you too.
I have a secret private Moms group on social media, Rob has a secret private Dads group — email us about those. There are support groups and affirming churches you might consider while you are on this journey.
I am so proud of you for reading this. It may be the first step in making the decision to err on the side of love, to affirm your child. You may have saved their life.
I promise you that it does get better. The answers will come. Just take the next step, and find someone to take it with you.
I am here if you need me.
We know of way too many families who kicked out, condemned, rejected, shunned and shamed their gay child – in Jesus name, claiming they were speaking for God – and who lost their child to suicide or drug abuse.

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Please. Don’t. Just don’t. Don’t drive your child over the edge.

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Every one of us would regret that for every single day of the rest of our lives.
Breathe. Love them for who they are. Err on the side of love. Trust God with all the rest.
It’s what they deserve because they are human – and because they are your precious child. No matter what.

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Just love. Please.

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October 28, 2014 by Susan Cottrell
Courtesy of Patheos – Hosting the conversation on faith.

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ABCs of Children’s Mental Health: Bullying and LGBT Kids

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How can families, schools, and communities prevent and protect lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender youth from being bullied?

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Kosciw and colleagues surveyed students 13 to 21 years of age throughout the United States. Of the 7,261 students who identified themselves as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender or who were questioning their sexual identity (LGBTQ): 85 percent reported being verbally harassed in the last year; 47 percent had been shoved; 22 percent had been punched, kicked or injured with a weapon at school; 68 percent had been sexually harassed at school with unwanted touching or sexual remarks; 88 percent had felt deliberately excluded or left out by other students; 84 percent had rumors or lies told about them; and half reported their property had been stolen or purposefully damaged by other students.

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According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, the third leading cause of death for youth 15 to 24 years old is suicide and gay, lesbian, and bisexual youth are 4 times more likely to attempt suicide than their heterosexual peers.

In one study, LGBT youth identified bullying problems as the second most important problem in their lives, after non-accepting families, compared to non-LGBT youth identifying classes, exams, and grades.

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Kerry Kennedy stated, “Bullying is, at its core, a human rights violation. It is the abuse of the powerless at the hands of the powerful, and it is a threat against the right to receive an education free from persecution.” Visit http://www.stompoutbullying.org

In the 1970s, The American Psychiatric Association and the American Psychological Association stated that homosexuality is not a disorder; sexual orientation is not a person’s individual choice; and mental health professionals cannot change the sexual orientation of their clients.

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What can Schools do?

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The 2011 National School Climate survey recommends that Gay Straight Alliances (GSAs) be ongoing in schools. Students who attended schools with GSAs reported fewer harassing remarks about sexual orientation, more intervention from school personnel and a greater sense of connectedness.
LGBT Students who reported having six or more supportive staff had higher GPAs. Principals, teachers, and other school staff can be advocates of safe schools for all students.
Schools can create comprehensive anti-bullying/harassment policies that include LGBT students.

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LGBTQ Resources

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The Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network (GLSEN) and its Greater Cincinnati, Greater Dayton and Northeast Ohio chapters gave middle and high schools a Safe Space Kit as part of a campaign to build support for vulnerable students and reduce anti-lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) name-calling, bullying and harassment in their school. Visit http://www.glsen.org.

The Trevor Project, created after the short film called Trevor, is a national organization that provides crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) young people ages 13-24. Visit http://www.thetrevorproject.org/.

It Gets Better Project‘s was created after several LGB students committed suicide after being bullied in school. It has inspired 50,000 user-created videos viewed more than 50 million times. Visit http://www.itgetsbetter.org/.

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According to Buckeye Region Anti Violence Organization (BRAVO)

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“homophobia is the irrational fear or hatred of Gay and Lesbian people. It can be the cause of conflicts in neighborhoods, workplaces, and homes.”

Visit http://www.bravo-ohio.org.

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The Community Relations Service of the Department of Justice helps communities develop strategies to prevent and respond to violent hate crimes committed on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion or disability. Visit http://www.justice.gov.

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Please see a child therapist if your LGBT adolescent is showing signs of depression, anxiety, or making comments about suicide. Ask your pediatrician for a referral.

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Melissa Martin, Ph.D., is a child therapist in Jackson, Ohio – Posted: Tuesday, September 2, 2014

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Internet is ‘lawless jungle too dangerous for children to use’, former government adviser warns

The internet is a “lawless jungle that will soon be too dangerous for children to use”, a former government adviser has warned.

In an interview with The Independent to mark the first in a week-long series of articles about the role of the internet in the lives of children and young people, Anthony Smythe, the managing director of BeatBullying, says current law is “not fit for purpose”.

Mr Smythe, who was a senior policy adviser at the Department for Education, says the lack of regulation online is putting vulnerable children at risk of self-harm and even suicide.

Following a series of high-profile cases of teenagers taking their own lives, The Independent is calling for tougher legislation to make the internet a safer environment for young people. The series calls on the Government to introduce a legal definition of bullying, to make it easier to prosecute people suspected of grooming children online, and to change internet security filters to require that people opt out rather than opt in.

READ MORE:

• CYBERBULLYING: HOW ANONYMOUS ATTACKS CHANGED ME FOR EVER
• NUMBER OF CHILDREN WHO SELF-HARM JUMPS 70 PER CENT IN JUST TWO YEARS
• SAFETY NET: WE MUST DO MORE TO STOP ONLINE BULLIES AND GROOMERS

“For many years the Government has failed to stand up to the industry. We’ve hit a point now where we need to introduce legislation if children are going to be safe online,” said Mr Smythe, who specialised in child safeguarding before taking over as managing director of the charity BeatBullying last year. “I can’t think of any other environment where there are no laws to protect [young people].”

Cyberbullying affects one in three young people, with one in 13 “so consistently” bullied that it leads to anxiety, self-harm or suicide. BeatBullying carried out research in 2008 into suicide among 10- to 14- year-olds in the UK that found that “44 per cent of suicides were linked to bullying”.

“Back then [young people] weren’t using technology in the same way we’re using it today,” Smythe said. “[BeatBullying research] predated social networking sites. If we did the research now the percentage would be a lot higher. That percentage will only increase as we see more and more bullying and that’s largely down to the internet.”

He said bullying had become inescapable for the children who were targeted. “They are being bullied on the way home by text and instant messenger, at home on their computer. It gives the target of the bullying no respite, no time off; if you are being bullied 24/7, if you’re a target every minute and hour of your life and you feel there is nowhere to go. That is why we’re seeing these tragic cases. That is why we are seeing more self-harm and suicide.”

BeatBullying, which represents the victims, says the government needs to review current legislation. The Communications Act and the Protection from Harassment Act, both of which could theoretically be used, are rarely if ever implemented in cases of cyberbullying. “The problem with the current law is that bullying is not defined, therefore it goes unused when dealing with bullying,” Mr Smythe said. “A law which, for the first time, legally defined bullying would help address this, and would help young people understand that bullying behaviour can lead to legal sanctions.”

Current laws also have high thresholds before they are triggered. He believes the definition from the Crimes Amendment (Bullying) Act 2011 applied in Victoria, Australia would be a useful reference in the UK: “A [young] person would be charged if found acting in any other way that could reasonably be expected to cause physical or mental harm to the second person, including self-harm; or to arouse apprehension or fear in the second person for his or her own safety or that of any other person.” continue reading…