Senior citizens are vulnerable to many forms of abuse and need the whole community to be vigilant and supportive.
The Prince George Community Response Network will mark World Elder Abuse Day Sunday to increase awareness of elder abuse and neglect.
"Older adults in our community continue to find themselves in vulnerable situations and are
experiencing various forms of abuse and neglect, " said Tim Rowe, regional mentor, Northern Interior Region. "Legislation alone can't keep them safe - involved communities make a critical difference."
Between four and 10 per cent of seniors in the province will experience some form of physical, emotional, sexual or financial abuse, according to the BC Ministry of Health.
Financial abuse is the most common form of elder abuse and it's more widespread with the use of the Internet and email.
Since elder abuse is often not seen, citizens have a role to play, making sure seniors report abuse. Often seniors won't report it because most abusers are family members or people closest to them. Often family is the only contact seniors have and sometimes isolation is feared as much as the abuse.
The Prince George Community Response Network, part of the provincial association, has a mandate to bring together community and government agencies, local businesses and members of the community to network against abuse and neglect.
The City of Prince George has proclaimed June 15 World Elder Abuse Awareness Day in Prince George.
