Calls to protect the elderly on World Elder Abuse Day

JOHANNESBURG - 15 June is commemorated globally as World Elder Abuse Awareness Day.

This year it's focusing on gender-based violence among the elderly.

Social Development Minister, Lindiwe Zulu, is calling for the protection of the dignity of senior citizens.

She said elder abuse is partly caused by the erosion of the social fabric of society.

WATCH: Discussion | The elderly as victims of crime

Zulu said, "we all know, traditionally older people were always respected and very revered in our communities."

"They still are, even today, but then we have these terrible pockets of abuse that even gets to a point of sexual abuse that is why the world is talking about closing the gap and addressing specifically gender-based violence because it is mainly women who bear the brunt."

"They are abused at home and they are also confronted with sexual abuse. They are raped in many instances and in some instances they are raped and killed."