FORMAL REPORTING PROTOCOL ON ELDER ABUSE NOW AT BARP

The Barbados Association of Retired Persons (BARP) is strengthening its response to elder abuse with plans to introduce a formal reporting protocol, following an increase in the number of seniors seeking help directly from the organisation.

Speaking during the opening session of BARP’s annual general meeting at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre on Thursday, president Marilyn Rice-Bowen said the new system was in its final stages of development and would ensure reports of elder abuse are handled in a more structured and consistent manner.

Rice-Bowen said the organisation had seen a noticeable shift in how cases were being reported, with members now visiting BARP’s offices to seek assistance.

“One of our most important initiatives will be the introduction of a formal reporting protocol for elder abuse,” she said.

She explained that while BARP had previously received complaints mainly by telephone or email, more seniors were now coming to the office to report abuse.

“It has reached a stage where our members are coming to the office to report elder abuse. What is done, we will take a note, we will phone the Family Conflict Unit, which is a division of the Barbados Police Service, and then let them follow up, but we’re going to take it a step further.”

Under the proposed protocol, BARP staff will complete a standardised reporting form whenever an allegation of elder abuse is made. The form will then be sent directly to the Family Conflict Unit of the Barbados Police Service for investigation, while BARP tracks the progress of each case.

“We’re in the process of having a reporting form designed. That form will be completed at BARP and forwarded to the Family Conflict Unit of the Barbados Police Service, and of course, then we will be able to follow up to see what’s happening.”

Rice-Bowen said the new reporting mechanism represents a stronger and more proactive approach to protecting older Barbadians from abuse, adding that BARP is prepared to take the lead in ensuring vulnerable seniors receive the support they need.