Individual: John Attard
In a heartbreaking case, a great-grandfather named John Attard, aged 88 and suffering from dementia, fell victim to abuse in his own home. The abusive carer, who had only been in her job for six days, continued to work despite recorded evidence of her actions.
John Attard's son, Chris, had a secret camera installed to record the abuse, and the video revealed shocking scenes of the carer mistreating his father. The carer was caught on camera threatening to beat John, dragging him across the floor, and treating him like a rag doll.
Unfortunately, this was not an isolated incident. Carers in two different care homes reported witnessing abuse, but they chose to remain silent due to the threat of deportation. The same carer who was responsible for John Attard's mistreatment was still employed in her role.
The manager, alongside the abusive carer, remained unpunished for their actions. John Attard died from his injuries, but no action was taken against the abusive carer, and the carer and the manager were not held accountable for the mistreatment.
This case highlights the urgent need for stricter laws and regulations regarding elder abuse by caregivers. While laws and regulations vary significantly across countries, many countries emphasize a multidimensional approach in laws and policies by combining health care, social work, and legal protections.
In the United States, most states have mandatory reporting laws requiring certain professionals and sometimes all adults to report suspected elder abuse. The federal Elder Justice Initiative supports training, resources, and multidisciplinary approaches for law enforcement and elder justice professionals to identify, investigate, and prosecute elder abuse cases.
In Italy, elder abuse falls under several criminal offenses such as violation of family care obligations, maltreatment of family members, abandonment of incapacitated persons, and personal injury. Reports collected in Genoa between 2020–2023 demonstrate multiple legal codes applied to elder abuse cases, highlighting a judicial framework addressing caregiver abuse within family and domestic contexts.
Europe, broadly, recognizes elder abuse as a widespread problem, but country-specific laws differ. Some European countries have legal statutes criminalizing neglect, physical and psychological abuse, and financial exploitation, often with mandatory reporting channels to judicial or social services. However, the complexity and variability of elder abuse require integrated multidisciplinary responses including medico-legal and clinical protocols.
Effective elder abuse laws often incorporate clear definitions, mandatory reporting, legal penalties for perpetrators, and support services for victims. Standardized training for recognizing, documenting, and reporting elder abuse is recommended to improve outcomes.
The tragic case of John Attard underscores the importance of these measures. The threat of deportation silenced the carers who had witnessed abuse in another care home, and the abusive carer continued to work despite the evidence of her actions. It is crucial that all countries prioritize the protection of their elderly population from abuse and neglect by caregivers.
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