Minors and children are often at the front of people’s minds when they imagine prospective abuse victims. Media reports on child abuse, particularly sexual abuse of underage minors by adults, receive much attention (Brauns Law Accident Injury Lawyers, 2020). Nevertheless, another category of persons who are especially prone to maltreatment is the elderly. According to Brauns Law Accident Injury Lawyers (2020), elder abuse and neglect are especially common in nursing homes, where older adults depend on others for care. On the contrary, child abuse is demonstrated as a circumstance in which a parent or guardian behaves so that a child suffers sexual abuse, exploitation, or emotional harm.
The first similarity is that child abuse, like elder abuse, does not occur only among particular groups of youngsters. It can impact people from all socioeconomic origins, social levels, and religious backgrounds (Brauns Law Accident Injury Lawyers, 2020). The second similarity is that gender does not matter because both male and female children and older adults are vulnerable to maltreatment. Finally, the frail senior and the silent youngster are helpless to protect themselves (O’Hara, 2018). They are frequently dependent on their abusers and cannot take action to stop the abuse.
The first difference is that, as senior life expectancy has grown in the past few decades, so has neglect and abuse among older people. Particularly those in nursing homes and assisted living facilities are vulnerable (Brauns Law Accident Injury Lawyers, 2020). Unlike child abuse, elder abuse sometimes entails taking advantage of someone due to their limits, inabilities, or incapacities. The second distinction is that older people frequently encounter issues that might lead to abuse or neglect, particularly in nursing homes, such as mental disability, loneliness, and physical limitation (Brauns Law Accident Injury Lawyers, 2020). The third difference is that elder abuse may come from financial exploitation and neglect.
To conclude, understanding differences and similarities affects the prevention efforts in each case. Timely action can save a life in child and elder abuse cases (O’Hara, 2018). Local law enforcement agencies must be notified of suspected incidents of sexual abuse in both youngsters and the elderly. Healthcare workers in nursing homes, for instance, and school instructors should be aware of the indications of abuse and their obligation to report it to the relevant authorities.
References
Brauns Law Accident Injury Lawyers. (2020). How is a case of potential elder abuse different from a case of protentional child abuse? Brauns Law Firm. Web.
O’Hara, M. (2018). Identifying and responding to child and elder abuse. Optometry Times. Web.