Family violence against elderly individuals in Canada has surged to an all-time high, as per the latest report from Statistics Canada. The incidence of family violence targeting seniors nationwide has spiked by 49% since 2018. In the previous year, the majority of senior victims of family violence were primarily targeted by their children, with around one in four facing abuse from a spouse or another family member. The report indicates that there were 7,622 senior victims of police-reported family violence across the country in 2024.
Alexandra Lysova, a criminology professor at Simon Fraser University in Burnaby, B.C., expressed concern over the rising trend of elder abuse. Although the overall prevalence of victimization among seniors is lower compared to other age groups, she stressed the importance of addressing elder abuse seriously, especially as the population of individuals over 65 continues to grow. Factors such as cognitive decline and physical frailty increase the vulnerability of older adults to abuse within family relationships.
Economic challenges and housing affordability issues can compound the risk of elder abuse, preventing adult children from leaving their parents’ homes. Lysova emphasized that the police-reported data may not capture the full extent of abuse incidents, as many cases go unreported due to various reasons, including the reluctance of victims to expose family members as potential perpetrators.
In British Columbia, the Seniors First B.C. hotline for reporting elder abuse has witnessed a significant increase in calls related to physical, financial, and emotional abuse. Marie-Noël Campbell, the executive director and staff lawyer, highlighted the concerning rise in violence against older adults and noted that the hotline has experienced a surge in calls over the years. Dan Levitt, the B.C. seniors advocate, emphasized the importance of combating ageism and being vigilant for signs of elder abuse, urging loved ones to watch for changes in behavior that could indicate potential victimization.
The StatsCan report underscores the escalating challenge of family violence against seniors in Canada, reflecting a pressing societal issue that demands greater attention and action to protect vulnerable older adults from harm.
