Six fresh cases of suspected elder abuse have been reported to the authorities since The Royal Gazette revealed the plight of 95-year-old Auntie Em last Friday.

Community and Cultural Affairs Minister Wayne Perinchief told a press conference this lunchtime that the story of the alleged mental abuse and physical neglect of the near-blind widow by her adopted daughter had evoked “public revulsion”.

“Auntie Em remains in King Edward Hospital,” he said. “She will remain in care until other safe and secure arrangements can be made.”

The Minister said Government took note of the call for laws to tackle elder abuse and was already drafting legislation to allow the authorities to intervene in cases such as Auntie Em’s, where the victim does not wish to press charges against their abuser or be removed from their home.

Mr. Perinchief said that since June 14 this year — which was the United Nations Elder Abuse Awareness Day — 56 cases of suspected mistreatment have been reported to the National Office for Seniors and the Physically Challenged, resulting in 24 active cases being investigated.

Since 1994, there have been 210 documented cases of suspected elder abuse here. Former Health Minister Patrice Minors told the House of Assembly last June that local studies suggested between four and six percent of elderly people on the Island had experienced some form of abuse in their home.

* See The Royal Gazette tomorrow for full story. See www.theroyalgazette.com for video reports on Aunti Em.