This oral statement was broadcasted at the 54th Session of the Human Rights Council Interactive Dialogue with the Independent Expert on Older Persons. Watch the video statement here. 

I am Sai Racherla from the Asian Pacific Resource and Research Centre for Women (ARROW). We welcome the recommendations to States and stakeholders by the Independent Expert on the enjoyment of all human rights by older persons.

We especially welcome the intersectional lens taken in the report on violence, abuse and neglect against older persons, such as older women, older persons with disabilities, and persons in situations such as forced displacement and conflict settings.

Estimates note one in six older persons experience some form of abuse worldwide in community settings, with serious physical injuries and long-term psychosocial consequences.

We reiterate the need for:

• Research and monitoring studies on the implementation of laws and court decisions relating to violence against older persons, to identify obstacles and problems in the implementation of existing laws on violence against older persons.

Inappropriate and inaccessible reporting and protection mechanisms; the lack of information about rights and how to file a complaint; and the lack of legislation, among other impediments to address violence among older persons need attention from governments.