The Barbados Association of Retired Persons (BARP) is intent on raising awareness about elder abuse in this country and putting an end to this heinous practice.
President of the Barbados Association of Retired Persons (BARP), Marilyn Rice-Bowen made the comments
while speaking to The Barbados Advocate yesterday, following a service at the James Street Methodist Church where some of the members of BARP gathered to celebrate the association’s 25th anniversary.
Rice-Bowen indicated that the organisation, which has in excess of 25,000 members, will be building programmes around elder abuse, with the view of ensuring that persons know what it is and how to stop it. She made the point while noting that the main challenge this country faces, is that people are not calling elder abuse by its correct name.
“...They want to seek help but want to remain anonymous, but the two of those things cannot go hand
in hand and that is the problem we are being faced with. Also, when some people think of elder abuse,
they think it is being perpetrated by strangers, but often it is being committed by people within their family unit, within the very home of the senior,” she said.
Her comments came as she explained that the abuse is not only physical, but there have also been cases of financial abuse, which she is adamant need not only to be highlighted, but steps taken to address. In that vein, she said that BARP will be working with the some financial institutions to present a programme to assist in building that much needed awareness in that area.
Meanwhile, she said that going forward, added emphasis will be placed on ensuring that all BARP members embrace the digital technology. She explained that this was an initiative they previously started and the COVID-19 pandemic has certainly shown that it is required.
“For most seniors they feel as if they are being pushed or being forced, but really none of those words should be used, because this is where the world is going right now. So we have to make sure that our seniors can readily embrace the technology and we are going to be offering them programmes,” she stated.
Earlier during the service she said BARP is committed to being a beacon for seniors in this country.
“We shall continue to build and expand our organisation with the full knowledge that our foundation has been fortified... Thankfully we have a dedicated team of volunteers and committed staff who work tirelessly to guide the organisation. I encourage everyone today to view BARP as a beacon for seniors in this country. We shall illuminate areas of darkness that exist in elder abuse in this country, your situation can be changed, but you must come out of the darkness,” she stated.
Meanwhile, in the sermon Natalie Yearwood, took the opportunity to laud BARP for the work it has been doing. She said it is evident that the organisation has remained committed, resourceful and humble through the years, which she said has no doubt allowed the organisation to stand the test of time and grow its membership, becoming the largest non-government organisation in Barbados.
“This could only have been attainable out of selfless service and a love for people and therefore I implore all of you to strive towards another 25 years and beyond with the same humility, passion, excitement and love, as the day this organisation was founded and that your membership will continue to grow not only in numbers but also in unity, in strength and in God’s love,” she said. (JRT)