About AEASA

Our Mission:
To address and prevent the abuse of older persons and other vulnerable adults in all its forms and to protect victims of elder abuse and other vulnerable adults by assisting with legal and rehabilitative services to both victims and families.

Aims:
AEASA [Action on Elder Abuse South Africa] main aim is to create, raise and sustain awareness of elder abuse in society, amongst older persons, professionals, stakeholders and the public.

AEASA strives to achieve this, inter alia, through:

The operation of a national toll free helpline, HEAL
Lobbying and advocating all levels of government on issues affecting older persons
Compiling and disseminating information on elder abuse
Providing counselling and legal services to victims of abuse and their families.

The scourge of elder abuse can only be eradicated if everyone works together, organizations, individuals, Government Departments and older persons themselves.

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day [WEAAD], an initiative of INPEA [International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse] and HEAL WHITE SOCK DAY is observed on 15th June each year.

ABOUT HEAL:

Halt Elder Abuse Line (HEAL), the main objective of AEASA, is centrally located in Cape Town office and is a national, tollfree helpline specifically for the reporting of elder abuse. Counselling may be provided online where applicable and referral for investigation and intervention made if necessary.

Trained counsellors answer the calls and amongst them can speak the majority of South Africa’s many languages, enabling the caller to speak in his or her mother tongue.

Emergency help is provided immediately when possible and where intervention is necessary, the HEAL Response Unit [HRU] nearest to the victim is notified and deployed.