Violence Against the Elderly in Western Europe-Treatment and Preventive Measures in the Health and Social Service Fields

Abstract

The article concerns the extent to which elder abuse and neglect is known and recognized as a social, medical and legal problem in western European countries. Only in France and the Scandinavian countries have researchers and policy makers in the health and social service fields begun to address the problem. November 1987, the Norwegian Minister of Health and Social Affairs called for a Workshop on Violence within the Family in the Council of Europe, Strasbourg. The article is a review of the different national reports concerning elder abuse presented at the workshop. The concluding remarks are taken from the various group and plenary discussions as well as the author's own experience.