Sespa warns of occurrences related to violence against the elderly
The campaign guides society on the importance of ensuring rights and dignity for people over 60 years old
The World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, celebrated on June 15, reinforces the need to confront this type of violation. In Pará, the State Department of Public Health (Sespa) warns of the increase in cases of violence against the elderly and reinforces to society the official channels for reporting abuses such as physical, psychological, patrimonial, sexual violence, abandonment, neglect, and discrimination.
According to data from Disque 100, from the federal government, reports of violence against the elderly in Pará have more than doubled in recent years, rising from 1,520 records in 2020 to 2,811 in 2024. Only between January and May of this year, 1,229 occurrences have already been recorded.
Another survey, conducted by the Notification of Compulsory Notification of Diseases Information System (Sinan), shows that records jumped from 474 notifications in 2020 to 593 in 2023, despite a 21% reduction between last year and 2024. This year, Sinan has already reported 144 cases in Pará, with 78 for physical violence, 31 for psychological and moral violence, 23 for neglect and abandonment, and 6 for financial violence.
According to the coordinator of the State Program for Elderly Health at Sespa, Amujacy Tavares, identifying the type of violence is essential for correct reporting and ensuring proper referral. "It is very important for the population to recognize the signs of violence and understand how to act. This can make all the difference in the care and protection of these people," he emphasized.
He stated that one of the challenges is to encourage the elderly to seek help. "Many face social isolation, fear, or feelings of guilt, which makes reporting difficult. These mistreatments can cause emotional and physical harm and even lead to premature death," he warned.
Currently, Pará has an estimated population of 876,332 people over 60 years old, equivalent to 10.79% of the state's population — with 421,262 men and 455,070 women, according to DataSUS.
Challenges and actions - Amujacy also highlights that, in addition to situations occurring in the family environment, there are active, autonomous elderly individuals exposed to other types of violence in public spaces, at work, and even in affectionate relationships. "These people need public policies that are aligned with the increase in life expectancy and the new realities of this population," he stated.
As part of Sespa's mobilization for the date, educational campaigns are being disseminated on the department's social media, with information about the main types of violence and guidance on reporting channels: Elderly Council, Public Ministry, Police Station, and Disque 100. These institutions ensure protective measures and accountability for aggressors.
Another action will be the intensification of training for municipal health professionals for the correct completion of compulsory notification forms for violence against the elderly, as provided for in Article 19 of the Elderly Statute. "This data helps to map the problem, strengthen protection networks, and guide the formulation of public policies," explained Amujacy.
Sespa also advises that health teams be attentive to indirect signs of violence, seek to understand the family and social relationships of elderly patients, and provide appropriate assistance for each case.
These actions are part of the Violet June campaign, dedicated to raising awareness about respect for the elderly and combating the violence that still affects millions of Brazilians over 60 years old.
Reporting channels:
- Disque 100 – Human rights violation reporting center
- Police Stations
- Public Ministry
- Elderly Councils
Service:
The reporting channels for violence against the elderly can be made through the Elderly Protection Police Station, located at Domingos Marreiros street, 2019, between Castelo Branco and José Bonifácio, by phone (91) 988024750. The population can also access the 190 channel of Ciop for emergency calls and the Disque-Denúncia channel, Disque 100.
