Canadian Network for the
Prevention of Elder Abuse
Réseau canadien pour la prévention des mauvais traitements envers les aîné(e)s
Frequently Asked Questions about the Network
Table of Contents (click to jump to section)
1. What Does the Canadian Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse (CNPEA) Do?
2. What is the Relationship of the CNPEA to Provincial and Territorial Networks?
3. Do All Provinces and Territories have Networks?
4. Should All Provinces and Territories have Networks?
5. Why Should I Consider Joining CNPEA?
Resources on Developing Networks
Frequently Asked Questions about the Network
1. What Does the Canadian Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse Do?
The Network brings together
 |
older adults
| caregivers
| service providers
| professionals who work with older persons
| educators
| seniors' organizations and other community groups
| researchers
| public servants, and
| businesses that serve older adults. |
Together we can learn and share ideas about abuse in later life and help communities to recognize key issues affecting abused seniors and develop appropriate responses.
~~~~
We recognized that abuse and neglect of older adults is a complex issue. It requires the skills, wisdom, and efforts of many different types of people, working at the local, regional, provincial, territorial, national and international level. We endeavour to connect with local, provincial, territorial, and other networks to identify important issues in this area.
~~~~
3. Do All Provinces and Territories have Networks?
No, at present, only Ontario and Quebec have provincial networks. Click here for more information.
Alberta is currently in the process of developing the Alberta Abuse Awareness Network. British Columbia has a provincial organization focussing on prevention and education on abuse issues in later life. [See Note]
However, many communities in Canada have groups of people who are keenly aware of abuse issues and who are working together to address the problem at an individual and community level. For example, in British Columbia and Ontario, some communities have successfully developed their own local community resources network to help respond to abuse or neglect situations more effectively. (For more information, see Resources).
~~~~
4. Should All Provinces and Territories have Networks?
We actively encourage the emergence of new multi-sectoral networks in provinces and territories where they do not presently exist, if people want them and feel they are needed.
We believe it is important to strengthen local/regional capacity by connecting provincial networks to larger, pan-Canadian networks, so that they have a variety of good information sources and other resources critical to their work. We believe it is equally important to have community networks.
We believe it is important to introduce new and complementary elements and potential partnerships to the mix, specifically allies outside the traditional voluntary sector, including private sector organizations, all levels of government, and social research professionals/academics.
During the past five years, service providers, seniors' organizations, researchers and others have increasingly recognized the critical need to work together at a local, provincial, national and international level on abuse and neglect issues in order to:
• identify key issues and highlight new ones that arise;
• collaborate on developing strategies and approaches;
• ask questions, share information what works well in different parts of a province or the country;
• develop an ethical framework for helping;
• use the best information available;
• compare approaches and continually improve practice;
• support each other in efforts in this complex and difficult area; and
• advance the issue of abuse and neglect of older adults as a policy and resource priority.
Support for networks can create many opportunities to build on the promising practices and growing knowledge gained from existing programs and pilot projects. In this way, Canadian communities will not be forced to continually “reinvent the wheel”.
~~~~
5. Why Should I Consider Joining CNPEA?
There are many reasons. First, it costs you nothing, and the Network can help provide you current information on abuse and neglect issues in Canada.
Abuse and neglect of older adults is often under-recognized at the policy level. There is considerable strength in numbers in shaping the ways that communities and governments respond to abuse. Canadian communities are looking for approaches that respect older adults and understand their needs and circumstances.
Click here for CNPEA's membership form.
Notes: These are the Quebec Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse; Ontario Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse; Alberta Abuse Awareness Network; and B.C. Coalition to Eliminate Abuse of Seniors.
British Columbia has also been developing Community Networks (See: BC’s CRNs under "Resources").
Resources on Developing Networks
BC’s CRNs: The Growth of a Movement to Address Adult Abuse, Neglect and Self Neglect. Presentation by A. Leaney to Quebec Elder Abuse Conference, April, 2003.
Online at:
www.geronto.org/conference/pdf/9_community_response_networks.pdf
Abuse Education, Prevention and Response: A Community Training Manual for those who want to address the Issue of the Abuse of Older Adults in their Community by J. Preston & J. Wahl. 3rd ed., December 2002.
Online at: www.advocacycentreelderly.org/elder/pubs.htm
Description: Provides steps for developing a sustainable, community based, and “senior driven” community network to assist abused and neglected older adults, "creating an atmosphere of non-threatening accessibility to local services, and increasing community knowledge regarding the incidence of abuse and neglect."
B.C.'s Community Response Networks
Description: Explains what CRNs are. Also provides toolkits; strategies for working together; protocol development; keeping and supporting advocacy. www.bccrns.ca/
Canadian Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse. Page last updated Friday April 24, 2009
Questions? Comments? Contact Webmaster:
Appuyez ici pour accéder aux ressources et au matériel disponible en français)