Elder Abuse Reports Climbing as World Elder Abuse Awareness Day Marks Risks

Reports of elder abuse are steadily increasing across B.C., according to the Office of the Seniors Advocate, which marked Monday, June 15, as World Elder Abuse Awareness Day with a call for greater awareness and prevention.

Dan Levitt, BC Seniors Advocate, noted that data show abuse reports to designated agencies, police, and seniors' organizations have climbed for several years as the older adult population grows. "Many people are reluctant or embarrassed to report elder abuse, so we know there are more incidents taking place than are shown in the data," he said.

Financial abuse is the most commonly reported form, often perpetrated by strangers using increasingly sophisticated technology for fraud and scams. Elder abuse can also take forms including physical, emotional, psychological, and sexual abuse, as well as mistreatment, neglect, and self-neglect.

The Office of the Seniors Advocate's Monitoring Seniors' Services 2025 report found calls to the Seniors Abuse and Information Line increased 39 percent over six years to 7,700, with abuse-specific calls rising 71 percent. Cases of abuse, neglect, and self-neglect reported to designated agencies rose 16 percent to 2,267, and violent offences against seniors reported to the RCMP increased 29 percent.

Sharon Blakeborough, an elder who lost over $60,000 to an online romance scam, spoke publicly about her experience. "During a vulnerable time in my life, I was lonely and looking for connection when I met someone online who gradually gained my trust," she said. "By the time I realized I was being manipulated, I had lost over $60,000 and I had a heart attack."

Anyone experiencing or concerned about elder abuse is encouraged to contact the Seniors Abuse and Information Line, their health authority, RCMP, police, or the Office of the Seniors Advocate.