Though aware of the abuse of the elderly, the reasons that precipitate such crimes and even having solutions on how to avert abuse, today’s youth seem unwilling to act, reveals an extensive 10-city survey of young working adults in the age bracket of 25 years to 45 years who live with at least one elderly parent.

The report was released by HelpAge, an NGO working for the elderly, here on Monday. June 15 is observed as World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. The cities surveyed are Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Nagpur, Kanpur and Madurai. A sample size of 200 households was selected from 20 middle and upper middle class localities in each city.

“In the case of Delhi, 85 per cent of youth admit elder abuse exists, yet 92 per cent say they won’t act to prevent it,” said Manjira Khurana of HelpAge India.

Across the country, 73 per cent admit that elder abuse exists and 42 per cent feel it is a problem in all developing societies. Eighty-three per cent perceive that identifying elder abuse in the neighbourhood is not difficult. Of those who have come across instances of elder abuse, “32.5 per cent have seen it among relatives, 21 per cent among friends and 20 per cent among neighbours”.

Youth perception and elder reality is different when it comes to the abuser. While 24 per cent of youth perceive the son as the abuser, the elder experience blames the son in 59 per cent of the cases. The daughter-in-law remains the primary abuser according to both. The survey also indicates that abusers start early. The youth feel an abuser is usually in the age between 18 and 34 years old and primarily from middle-income households.

The topmost form of abuse that over 70 per cent of youth have come across is “use of abusive language and talking rudely” with an elder, followed by “silent treatment, isolation and emotional abuse” (43.1 per cent ). Delhi alone beats the national average in “using abusive language”, with 77 per cent stating that to be the most common form of abuse they have come across. Shockingly, 23 per cent feels physical abuse is the next most common form of abuse. At other places, property and inheritance disputes emerges as the main reason for abuse (53.2 per cent). Interestingly, 35.7 per cent feel attitudinal and relationship issues was also an important reason.

The youth feel prevention of abuse can take place when a family spends adequate time with the elderly and gives their opinions due importance. The elderly should also stay socially active and be financially independent.