Advice about Bermuda's new elder abuse law was given out at a public meeting last night — but only half a dozen seniors were there to hear it.

Seniors were told of all the different forms abuse can come in, and the importance of reporting it to the authorities.

However, the turnout at Penno's Wharf Cruise Ship Terminal in St. George's was disappointing, apparently because it clashed with a regular Monday evening event at the Salvation Army.

National Office for Seniors and the Physically Challenged manager Melvin Dickinson said he would return on a different date if necessary.

On the importance of speaking out against abusers, Mr. Dickinson told the meeting: "If you see abuse we want you to report it.

"The only way we can discourage abuse against seniors is for people to come forward and say this is taking place — not maliciously, but something you believe is taking place."

The Senior Abuse Register Act, which was passed into law last month, sets up a register of offenders who have inflicted physical, financial, emotional or sexual abuse.

Explaining the thinking behind the act, Mr. Dickinson said: "What we are trying to do here is ensure that the people we hire are going to take care of seniors and they are going to take care of them with the highest standard of care possible."

Remarking on the low turnout, Mr. Dickinson said: "I wish there was more seniors here tonight. I wish there was more people here tonight but that doesn't mean anything because we are going to enforce what we are here to enforce.

"If I have to come back, I will be happy to."

Further meetings take place today at the Anglican Cathedral Hall, Hamilton, from 12.30 p.m. to 2 p.m.; and tomorrow at Sandys Middle School Auditorium, from 7 p.m. to 8.30 p.m. Refreshments will be available for half an hour before each meeting.

People will be able to ask questions regarding the act.

Elder abuse hit the headlines last September when 95-year-old Wilhelmina Liburd — known as Auntie Em — was reported to have been living in horrific conditions, with cockroaches crawling across her skin in a vermin-infested property.