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Ghent raises awareness of the problem of violence against elderly
On the occasion of UN’s International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, Ghent is drawing attention to violence against the elderly.
Mayor of Ghent Mathias De Clercq pointed out that caring for the elderly can turn into violence and noted that the city’s campaign is aimed at raising awareness and starting open discussions about the issue.
City authorities announced a study day for aid workers as part of the initiative and authorised the work of graffiti artist Han Coussement in the Bibliotheekstraat.
Besides his work on the project, Coussement has created many other works of art on the streets of Ghent, also requested and authorised by city authorities.
His latest work in Ghent points to the veneer of care that often hides the abuse of the elderly.
“I find the duality… very interesting,” Coussement noted and added “it shows the complexity of the situations in which violence against the elderly takes place,” stressing that he reflected this contradiction with the use of style and colour.
City authorities noted that the study day for social and healthcare workers will help them to tackle violence against the elderly, adding that flyers will be distributed to the public to raise awareness.
Ghent reminded that it launched a platform for developing an inter-city approach to domestic violence earlier this year, pointing out that 15 cities and municipalities joined the project.
(Photo credit: Stad Gent)
