Adult safeguarding legislation call
Published on 17 October 2011 12:00 PM
Responding to a the news today that a group of Welsh Assembly Members have proposed introducing a law to protect adults at risk at the suggestion of the Royal College of Nursing in Wales, Age Cymru's Rhea Stevens says:
"Age Cymru backs the RCN in its calls for AMs to put forward proposals for a law to protect adults at risk in the upcoming backbench ballot.
"Wales has the highest prevalence of elder abuse in the UK with a rate of 6%, compared with 4.3% in Scotland, 3.9% in England and 3% in Northern Ireland.
"Based on population estimates, we believe this equates to 39,000 older people in Wales who are being abused in their own home.
"Legislation is an essential component of safeguarding adults: it has the capacity to set statutory duties and powers so adult protection is undertaken effectively by all key agencies.
"It is also one of a range of tools that need to be engaged to protect adults from abuse, including renewed policy, training, increased public awareness and access to advocacy services, and strengthened guidance.
"Age Cymru believes that any new legislative framework must ensure that a vulnerable adult's safety is prioritised, their choices respected, and their right to dignity and respect at the centre of all actions to protect them from harm."