Elder Abuse
Committee of
Newfoundland and Labrador (EACNL)
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History
In 1992, the Seniors Resource Centre brought
together expertise from government and the community to form a committee
to raise awareness of elder abuse and to share information about
referral and intervention services.
The role of this committee, then called the Interagency Elder Abuse Committee, evolved to include overseeing the Senior Resource Centre’s Elder Abuse projects. This included the development of the Strategic Plan to Address Elder Abuse in Newfoundland and Labrador presented to government in June 2005. This plan makes recommendations to both government and community around six key provincial elder abuse issues: elder abuse legislation; community response to elder abuse; public awareness and education; training and screening for service providers; caregiver support; and research.
In 2006, the Interagency Elder Abuse
Committee changed its name to the Elder Abuse Committee of Newfoundland
and Labrador (EACNL) to reflect its expanded membership, provincial
structure and revised mandate (as below). In 2010, EACNL received
funding from the New Horizons for Seniors Program to develop into a
provincial network.
Mission
To provide information and support to
individuals and organizations (from both community and government)
working to prevent elder abuse and/or provide services to those affected
by this issue.
Mandate
The mandate of EACNL is to:
1. Raise public awareness of elder abuse
through the provision of information and by supporting activities
associated with World Elder Abuse Awareness Day;
2. Serve as a resource for information
about referral and intervention services in Newfoundland and Labrador;
3. Promote the implementation of the
recommendations within the Strategic Plan to Address Elder Abuse in
NL;
4. Liaise on a regional, provincial, and
national level with other groups dealing with elder abuse issues to
share information, facilitate partnerships, and provide input on matters
of policy;
5. Identify gaps in elder abuse services,
information, and research, and work collaboratively with government
departments, the Regional Health Authorities, and community groups to
address them;
6. Act in an advisory capacity for Senior
Resource Centre elder abuse initiatives and support other initiatives
that address elder abuse.
This mandate will be reviewed on an annual
basis.
Vision
Older persons will live in safe, caring communities where there is zero tolerance of abuse. This will be fostered by community awareness, protective legislation, and coordinated, responsive programs and services aimed at preventing abuse and providing a range of options for those who experience abuse and the individuals who support them.
Values
EACNL believes that: Older adults should be
respected and valued and have the opportunity to be engaged in all
aspects of society. This can be achieved through supporting respectful
relationships, choice, collaboration, and lifelong learning.
Membership
EACNL members are individuals from government, organizations, agencies, associations, and the community who have a direct interest in addressing the issue of elder abuse. This includes representation from the four health authority regions in the province.
Chairperson
The Chairperson of the EACNL is a member of
the Board of the Seniors Resource Centre. This will be reassessed
annually.
Meetings
EACNL meets monthly except in July, August, and December. Minutes are recorded and circulated. A quorum of 15 members is required for each meeting.
The following organizations/professions have representation on the Elder Abuse Committee of Newfoundland and Labrador:
· Aging and Seniors Division, Dept. of Health and Community Services
· Central Health
· Coalition Against Violence – Avalon East
· Community Health Promotion Network Atlantic
· Council for Licensed Practical Nurses
· Dietitians of NL
· Eastern Health
· Eastern Long Term Care Association
· Independent Living Resource Centre
· Iris Kirby House
· Labrador Friendship Centre
· Labrador-Grenfell Health
· Labrador Métis Nation
· Labrador South Home Care
· Labrador West Status of Women Council
· Newfoundland & Labrador Housing
· Nunatsiavut Government, Department of Health
· Public Legal Information Association of NL (PLIAN)
· Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP)
· Royal Newfoundland Constabulary (RNC)
· Seniors Resource Centre of NL
· Seniors Wellness Committee, Western Newfoundland
· Victim Services
· Violence Prevention Initiative
· Violence Prevention Labrador
· Western Health
