‘Protecting the elderly is protecting our history’, says Peixoto about the importance of Violet June

june violet

The parliamentarian highlights the campaign aimed at combating violence against the elderly and warns about the cases registered against this portion of the population

Manaus (AM) – The beginning of June is marked by the campaign to combat violence against the elderly. Known as Purple June or Violet June, the action comes through the World Day of Awareness of Violence Against the Elderly, celebrated on June 15th. The date was established by the United Nations (UN) in 2011 as an alert to the existence of all types of violence, mistreatment and violations of the rights of the elderly and to ways to denounce and combat them.

Violence against the elderly can occur in several ways, including: physical, emotional, financial, psychological, negligence, among others. This year alone, the Police Station Specialized in Crimes Against the Elderly (DECCI) has already registered more than 2,100 Police Reports (BO) and received more than 700 anonymous complaints. Data from the State Secretariat for Justice, Human Rights and Citizenship (Sejusc), the North and East zones of Manaus are where the highest number of cases are registered in the capital.

Councilman Peixoto, from Agir, embraces the cause and defends prevention through information that may draw the attention of the population in order to fight and encourage complaints in favor of this group.

“No type of violence is acceptable, but when it comes to children and the elderly, there is an even greater commotion because they are people who often do not know how to defend themselves and are victims, often by people close to them and at home. Therefore, these are situations that need to be constantly dealt with so that more and more people understand that they should not be treated just as family cases, ”he says.

The parliamentarian warns of the importance of denouncing these cases. The government makes two numbers available through Dial 100 or 181, in both cases they can be anonymous.

“Witnessing an aggression against the elderly, whatever it may be, cannot pass without taking action, even if it is through an anonymous complaint. The oldest person has a history, a lifetime of work that must be respected. Just do a little exercise, think that they could be your parents or grandparents. It is important to remember that protecting the elderly is protecting our history”, recalls Peixoto.

Legislation – According to the Statute for the Elderly, it is a crime to put the life or health of the elderly at risk, through degrading conditions or deprivation of food or essential care. The foreseen penalty is from two months to one year of detention and a fine. If the result of the crime is serious bodily injury, the penalty increases to one to four years of imprisonment. However, if the crime results in death, the penalty ranges from four to 12 years in prison.

read more:

Sejusc reinforces the importance of the population to report cases of violence against the elderly