Dominica Council on Ageing (DCOA) has expressed sadness following the recent assault on another senior citizen in Dominica.
Reports are that a 93-year-old, partially blind woman was assaulted at her home in Fond St. Jean last weekend and has been hospitalized.
This is the second reported assault on a senior citizen on the island within two months. Last an 87-year-old elderly woman of Wesley was allegedly sexually assaulted at her home.
President of the DCOA, Zetma Toussaint, said such acts of violence should be condemned by the society.
“This is very sad for us,” she told Dominica News Online. “The Dominica Council on Ageing again strongly condemns the assault on this 93-year-old woman of Fond St Jean which occurred recently.”
She stated that the council will be working with other interest groups to take some actions to reduce such incidents.
“We cannot do it alone and it is not just affecting the elderly, but it is also affecting women in general,” she stated. “We want to have a concerted effort to take some decisions on what we can do as a community, as a society, to curb this kind of serpent that is raising its ugly head at this time.”
The council also called on members of the public to cooperate with the police and other law enforcement officers to divulge any information which would assist with the apprehension of the perpetrators of such ‘hideous act.’
Furthermore, Toussaint called on the legal authorities to review existing legislation, “to update them and to strengthen them to ensure that when such perpetrators are brought to justice that they are given the full arm of the law…”
Toussaint indicated that the council held its conference on abuse of the elderly in December 2015 and plans are in place to contact its partners, “and based on the reports, let us see what kind of action they can take.”
She said the council is praying for the victim’s speedy recovery from her ordeal
“We also express our sorrow to the family members …” she remarked.
Toussaint urged family members, as well as members of the society, to keep an eye on vulnerable persons in communities around the island.
“It is becoming so unsafe for women and elderly people to live alone, or to be in a house just for a few minutes,” she stated. “This is very troubling in our society and I will really like us to put our heads together and come up with some actions that can assist in getting the perpetrators to be apprehended…”
This type of assault will have a debilitating effect on this lady and probably for the rest of her life; likewise the other lady in Wesley. I expect both these ladies are receiving professional counseling.
Let us pray for them as well that, hopefully, in time they will overcome this shock and be healed of their injuries, emotional and physical.
In Jesus Name, may Our Almighty Father in his compassion especially for the vulnerable elderly, assist them, heal them and protect them. Drive the enemy and his corteges far from them and grant them peace of heart and mind that they may live their latter years in peace and tranquility.
Blessed Virgin Mary, Our Dear Mother and Lady, Mother of all mothers, please pray for them as You surround them and protect them with your mantle of Love and Protection.
You who our enemy fears the most because you bore The Word Incarnate, Your Blessed Son, Our King and Savior, Jesus Christ, please keep that enemy at bay and tie him up in the chains of Hell that he will not harm, primarily our dear precious elderly ladies-senior citizens.
As You aware, near and far, our hearts are aching at what occurred to the two elderly ladies. It is our urge that the perpetrator(s) are apprehended soon and that no more harm come to any more of them.
We also ask of you to assist our Police Force, inspire them and guide them to apprehend the perpetrator(s) soon. Wherever they are hiding, please expose them. Please hear our prayers.
Thank you Lord. Thank You Our Dear Blessed Mother. All glory, honor and praise be to The Blessed Trinity.
All you holy angels and saints, you whose prayers are efficacious before God’s Holy and Pure Throne of Grace, please pray with us for our senior citizens and that the perpetrator(s) will be apprehended..
They will no longer be able to keep their doors unlocked and windows opened. For them it will be like living as a captive in their own home.
This type of disrespectful behavior toward the elderly must not be allowed to continue. I hope something is done soon enough to help to protect them.
I assume suggestions are needed, feasible ones, to assist the authorities to implement some means of support for the elderly.
CASTRATION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! CASTRATION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! CASTRATION!!!!!!!!!!!!! It’s the only solution to this sick disgusting solution.
It appears that the DCOA picks causes on which to voice its opinion.
To date, no comment has been made expressing sympathy or concern for two elderly citizens whose home was fire bombed on Christmas morning five (5) years ago i.e Mr. & Mrs. G.O.N. Emanuel
Remember when rain falls it does not choose whose roof to fall on.
How many years ago this occurred? They may have done so but where were you?
@ Face the facts. I do not know where you have been, I have been right here in our beloved country Dominica. The DCOA has never, ever made a statement on this situation. I rest my case.
Yeah they picking and choosing. They fraid Skerrit!
you hit the nail right on the head But as my grandmother would say oh oh plee tar ka plee twist
Sorry about this situation, we need to stand to gether for our elderly persons. But where is the extended family concept we raised with, family caring for each other? Government took over the role and family members just don’t care. My God, what have we become. I join in condemning the abuse of our elderly women and children, those who observe anything, please speak out.
Ms. Toussaint. ..please put out a Plea to families of the elderly to be more loving and closer to them..Protect them!!!!!it is the family and close neighbour’s to look out for them…we have to come back to our loving Dominica
You are so right. What ever happened to us looking out for our neighbours? We really need to go back to the loving people we used to be.
The sumpreme leader of the country is too busy selling passports in return for tablets.Good luck on him addressing the situation.