World Elder Abuse Awareness Day

Observed annually on 15 June, WEAAD was launched by the International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse in 2006 and recognized as a UN Observance in 2011. It draws attention to physical, psychological, and financial abuse and neglect of older persons — issues that remain widely under-recognized and under-reported.

“Beyond Awareness: Making Elder Abuse Prevention Work” emphasizes that awareness alone is insufficient. Elder abuse can involve physical, psychological, sexual or financial abuse, as well as neglect, and it is frequently under-recognized and under-reported. Effective prevention therefore requires coordinated action across healthcare, social services, communities, legal and protection systems.

The 2026 observance also highlighted the intersection between ageing and disability, recognizing that increasing numbers of people with disabilities are growing older while some older people develop disabilities later in life. This makes accessible protection, care and community-based support particularly important.

Many national campaigns run their own parallel themes, such as "Building Strong Support for Elders" in the US.

• Prevent physical, psychological, sexual and financial abuse and neglect.
• Strengthen systems for early identification and reporting of abuse.
• Protect the dignity, autonomy and human rights of older people.
• Improve coordination between healthcare, social services, legal and protection systems.
• Strengthen community-based support and protective services.
• Support caregivers and reduce situations that can increase vulnerability to abuse.
• Address ageism and harmful stereotypes about older people.
• Improve access to financial safeguards and protection from exploitation.
• Make services accessible to older people with disabilities.
• Strengthen data collection and evidence on elder abuse.
• Develop and scale effective prevention interventions.
• Ensure older people and people with lived experience have a meaningful voice in solutions.
• Treat elder abuse as both a health issue and a human-rights issue.

• Elder abuse
• Abuse of older people
• Physical abuse
• Psychological abuse
• Emotional abuse
• Sexual abuse
• Financial abuse
• Financial exploitation
• Ageism
• Older persons
• Ageing
• Healthy ageing
• Elder protection
• Caregiver support
• Social isolation
• Vulnerability
• Community-based care
• Long-term care
• Adult protection
• Social services
• Disability
• Intergenerational relationships
• Elder rights