Recording coming soon
WHEN:
Tuesday, May 13, 2025
From 9 AM to 1 PM Pacific / Noon to 4PM Eastern
ASL Interpretation available
This event is held in recognition of Victims and Survivors of Crime Week with the financial support of the Department of Justice Canada
About
On May 13, join CNPEA and EAPO for this online symposium focused on enhancing coordinated support of older victims of elder abuse, family violence, and gender-based violence, particularly when they are living with dementia or experiencing cognitive impairment.
Together, a series of speakers will examine challenges, recommended practices and possible solutions to provide better support to individuals and their families who experience abuse in the context of dementia. This symposium aims to:
- raise awareness of successful collaborative intervention team models across sectors to assist older adults who have experienced violence, abuse or neglect;
- illustrate the roles that support services and law enforcement can play in assisting older victims by being trained to detect ageism, avoid ableism, and understand seniors’ needs better;
- Examine best practices to provide safe, respectful, trauma -and violence- informed services and appropriate support.
This event will be of interest to both seniors’ service providers and professionals in the justice system.
PROGRAMME AND SPEAKERS
Session 1: Collective Response to systemic gaps of IPV among Older Adults
12:15 PM – 12:45 PM Eastern
Margaret MacPherson, Research Associate, Centre for Research and Education on Violence Against Women and Children
Margaret designs and develops curriculum and related materials on a number of initiatives including the Make It Our Business workplace domestic violence program and It’s Not Right! Neighbours, Friends and Families for Older Adults. Margaret is passionate in her belief that everyone has an important contribution to make in creating safe and supportive environments at work and in our communities.
Summary: When ageism, intimate partner violence, and dementia converge in a family crisis, critical gaps in our systems of care, knowledge, protections, and accountability come into view. This complexity can also create space for more collective, coordinated responses that are grounded in the principles of equity-oriented and trauma- and violence-informed care. The presentation will explore key lines of inquiry and strategies for cross-sectoral leadership that centre safety, dignity, and relational accountability.
Session 2: Caring Together: Enhancing CCR Models for Older Adults Living with Dementia and Experiencing Harm
12:45 PM – 1:45 PM Eastern
April Tucker, Indigenous Resource Liaison (South), Alberta Elder Abuse Awareness Council (A.E.A.A.C)
April is the Indigenous Liaison with The Alberta Elder Abuse Awareness Council (A.E.A.A.C), supporting case managers and service providers through Coordinated Community Response (CCR) or “Hubs” that address elder abuse and complex care needs. With over 25 years of experience in advocacy, frontline support, and system navigation, she brings a holistic, relationship-based approach to her work. April has worked across diverse communities, including extensive collaboration with Indigenous Nations, and is dedicated to ensuring that older adults are treated with dignity, respect, and care through coordinated, and culturally informed support systems.
Meaghan Westlund, Team Leader for Outreach Services, Unison Alberta Elder Abuse Shelter
Meaghan supports older adults in the community after they experience abuse, coordinates and facilitates community presentations, spreading awareness about elder abuse and works within the Alberta Elder Abuse Awareness Council to network with professionals across the province. She is co-chair of the Co-ordinated Community Response, the Calgary Elder Abuse Awareness Collective and works with Calgary agencies to understand gaps in services and lend support to older adults. Meaghan is passionate about supporting those most vulnerable, understanding and overcoming barriers to do good and meaningful work in our community.
Summary: In this collaborative presentation, April and Meaghan will explore how Coordinated Community Response (CCR) models, or “Hubs,” are developed and sustained within both Indigenous and urban communities. The presentation will examine how these models differ from rural and urban CCR structures, emphasizing the importance of culturally grounded, holistic, and family centered approaches guided by the Nation as a whole. The discussion will highlight the strengths of community-led collaboration rooted in traditional values.
An overview of Calgary’s urban CCR and its recent growth will be shared, including the role of multi agency partnerships and how these relationships help strengthen community-based support. A brief case study will demonstrate how a CCR approach could better support an older adult through coordinated care, and how urban CCRs can continue to expand by including organizations focused on cognitive health.
Session 3: Cross-Sectoral Solutions: Supporting Survivors of Gender-Based Violence-Related Traumatic Brain Injury Through a Survivor-Led Support Program
1:45 PM – 2:45 PM Eastern
Gifty Asare,
PhD Director of Research and Community Impact,WomenatthecentrE
Gifty Asare is a Ghanaian Canadian researcher from Tiohtià:ke/Montreal and currently serves as the Director of Research and Community Impact at WomenatthecentrE, a nonprofit by and for survivors of gender-based violence (GBV). She holds a PhD in Psychology and Neuroscience from York University, with prior training in Psychiatry (McGill) and Neuroscience (Concordia), and her work centers on GBV, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and their impacts across the lifespan.
Summary: This presentation will highlight key insights from Cross-Sectoral Solutions: Strengthening Community Capacity to Address the ‘Parallel Pandemic’ of Gender-Based Violence-Related Traumatic Brain Injury Through a Survivor-Led Support Intervention, a national project led by WomenatthecentrE. Drawing on a lifecourse approach, Gifty Asare will explore the often-overlooked connection between gender-based violence (GBV) and traumatic brain injury (TBI), and how these injuries can compound cognitive challenges across the lifespan. The session will discuss survivor-informed strategies for cross-sector collaboration, with implications for elder abuse prevention, trauma-informed care, and supporting aging survivors of GBV who may also be experiencing the lifelong effects of TBI.
Session 4 : 2:45 pm – 3:45 pm
Part 1- Law enforcement response and support for Older Adult victims of IPV
Amanda Bitter, Detective Constable, Major Crimes Bureau, Intimate Partner Violence, York Regional Police
Amanda has been a police officer with the York Regional Police Service for the past seventeen years. Amanda has spent the past four years in the Intimate Partner Violence Unit, and previously worked as a Senior Safety Officer, as well as a Mental Health Support Team Alternate. Amanda, originally from Thunder Bay, Ontario received her Police Foundations Diploma from Confederation College, and then obtained her BA in Psychology from Lakehead University. Amanda is passionate about elder abuse and continues to advocate for older adults.
Summary: Detective Constable Amanda Bitter will discuss the role of police in responding to violence against older adults and the complexities of IPV victims and accused, including dementia as a vulnerability and risk factor. Various case studies will be presented which will explore why an interdisciplinary approach is required to address the difficulties in navigating these intricate cases and intersectional issues.
Part 2 – Best practices for interviewing older adults with diverse backgrounds and needs: Current research and future directions
Josh Wyman, PhD
Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, King’s University College at Western University
Dr. Joshua Wyman is an Assistant Professor at King’s University College at Western University. His research focuses on improving the best practice methods for interviewing older adults in criminal investigations. He is also completing research that explores older adult fraud victimization, prevention and intervention, as well as the prevention and reporting of older adult maltreatment in healthcare settings. Finally, Dr. Wyman is a licensed school and clinical psychologist in Ontario. In his role as a psychologist, he provides psychological assessment, treatment and consultation services to children, youth and parents in school and clinical settings.
Summary: Dr. Wyman will discuss the existing research on evidenced-based practices for interviewing older adult victims and witnesses. He will provide an overview of special considerations when interviewing older adults who have cognitive and physical-related challenges, including beneficial interviewing accommodations and supports. Furthermore, he will discuss recent research on the training needs of health and law enforcement professionals in Ontario for supporting older adults who are most at-risk of abuse, neglect and exploitation.
WATCH THE RECORDING
WHEN:
May 7, 2025
10 AM to 11:30 AM Pacific /
1 PM to 2:30 PM Eastern
ASL Interpretation available
ABOUT
Canada has a long-standing history of leading Human Rights movements, starting with the 1948 UN vote to adopt the Universal Declaration of Human Rights – a promise of freedom, equality and justice for all. Today older adults represent the fastest growing demographic yet we know that they do not enjoy the same protections as others.
Two milestone events this past year are Moving Forward with the UN convention, towards becoming a reality in our lifetime.
- In May 2024, during the UN Open Ended Working Group on Ageing (OEWGA14) proceedings, Member States adopted a Resolution which included the recommendation to begin drafting a UN convention centered on the rights of older persons.
- On April 3rd, 2025 a historic decision by the 58th Human Rights Council in Geneva was made to start drafting this legally binding instrument.
These landmark achievements could not have happened without a growing global advocacy movement and the positive influence of engaged governments and stakeholders. With this new chapter, we begin building a world where everyone can live and age with the dignity and respect they deserve.
CNPEA and EAPO invite you to be part of the dynamic conversations underway, as the champions of these advocacy campaigns share their perspectives and enlighten us about the road ahead.
SPEAKERS
Silvia Perel-Levin
Independent consultant on ageing, health and human rights of older persons
Silvia Perel-Levin is an advocate for the human rights of older persons and an independent consultant. She has been working in the fields of human rights, ageing, and health for 25 years with international organizations including the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). Before that, she was a theatre and TV producer.
Silvia represents at the UN the International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse (INPEA) and the International Longevity Centre Global Alliance (ILC GA) advocating for the adequate inclusion of older persons at the Human Rights Council, and promoting a UN Convention on the human rights of older persons. She is vice-chair of the NGO Committee on Ageing in Geneva, Committee she chaired from April 2014 to April 2022. Silvia edited the book “Ageing of the Oppressed: A Pandemic of Intersecting Injustice” published in September 2023.
Ellen Graham
Coordinator of the Secretariat of the Global Alliance for the Rights of Older People (GAROP)
Ellen Graham is currently the Coordinator of the Secretariat of the Global Alliance for the Rights of Older People (GAROP), a unique coalition of over 400 NGOs world-wide, focused on campaigning for the human rights of older persons and specifically for a new UN convention on the rights of older persons.
Previously she has worked as an analyst for the UK government and a senior policy adviser for the New Zealand government. She was also the EU Policy Adviser managing HelpAge International’s Brussels office for seven years where she was responsible for influencing EU policy on humanitarian aid and the UN Sustainable Development Goals, mobilizing HelpAge’s EU network, and managing relationships with a range of stakeholders. Ellen has extensive experience in developing and managing diverse networks sharing a common purpose. She has been advocating for the human rights of older people for almost 15 years.
She participated in the UN’s Open-Ended Working Group on Ageing sessions between 2013 and 2024 and more recently in Human Rights Council meetings in Geneva between 2022 and 2024. Ellen manages the Secretariat of the Global Alliance, coordinating the collective advocacy and campaigning activities of its members and working with a variety of partners on joint initiatives.
Ina Voelcker
Co-Chair of Global Alliance for the Rights of Older People (GAROP) Steering Group, BAGSO - German National Association of Senior Citizens‘ Organisations
Ina Voelcker is the Head of the Secretariat for International Policy on Ageing at BAGSO, the German National Association of Senior Citizens’ Organisations. She coordinates BAGSO’s international work which involves representing older persons’ interests in international policy debates and fostering the exchange of senior citizens’ organisations from various countries.
Previously, Ina was technical director with the International Longevity Centre Brazil in Rio de Janeiro, where she coordinated among others the implementation of the age-friendly cities project. During this time, she was part of the international affairs committee of the Global Alliance of ILCs.
Before she worked with HelpAge International in London on the global review of MIPAA undertaken together with UNFPA. She holds academic degrees in Gerontology (BA) from the University of Vechta, Germany and Public Policy and Ageing (MA) from the University of London, UK.
Margaret Gillis
Founding President of the International Longevity Centre Canada
Margaret Gillis is the founding President of the International Longevity Centre Canada, a human rights based organization, and Co-President of the International Longevity Centre Global Alliance, which is an alliance of 16 Centres around the world dedicated to the needs of older people. She is also a “Community Ambassador” for Elder Abuse Prevention Ontario an organization providing education, training and information on elder abuse.
An award winning executive and innovative leader, Margaret played a key role in establishing the Age-friendly Community Program in Canada and internationally. Other career highlights include the establishment of the “Canadian Coalition Against Ageism” a nation-wide social change movement to combat ageism.
Margaret has strong credentials in regard to human rights, working with and speaking at the UN General Assembly on behalf of older people. Margaret has been actively working for a United Nations Convention on the Rights of Older Persons in Canada and internationally. With a background in health promotion, protection and programming, Margret is committed to improving the rights of older people.
Chitralekha Massey
Chief of Section, Rights of Older Persons at the Office for United Nations High Commissionner for Human Rights
Chitralekha is currently working within the Development Economic, Social Issues Branch at OHCHR, based in Geneva. Since 2024, she leads the work on Older Persons. Previous roles between 2020-2024 within the Branch include leading on Political Constituency and Partnerships on the Human Rights Economy; and Coordinator, Partnerships, Engagement and Outreach for Social Justice.
Ms. Massey has worked for several years on a range of human rights issues which include street children, countering torture, business and human rights, countering discrimination, climate change, supporting youth to engage with and on human rights issues, strengthening national institution’s ability to work with human rights including the police, military, armed forces, judiciary.
A core part of her experiences includes working for the establishment of new national human rights commissions, working with civil society and non-governmental organizations. She holds a Ph.D. in International Human Rights Law and International Humanitarian Law, a master’s in international Human Rights Law, and a Bachelors (Hons) in Genetics.
WATCH THE RECORDING
DOWNLOAD THE PRESENTATION (PDF)
WHEN
May 6, 2025
10 AM to 11:30 AM Pacific / 1PM to 2:30 PM Eastern
ABOUT
Future Us was launched in March 2022 as a pan-Canadian roadmap to the prevention of elder abuse. Join us on Tuesday, May 6 to find out what has been happening across Canada over the past 3 years to advance a national dialogue on the Strategy's three goals :
- Prioritize prevention of elder abuse and neglect in every community
- Establish and support elder abuse prevention networks at local, regional, and national levels
- Teach everyone to recognize warning signs of abuse and neglect, how to respond safely and effectively and where to refer in the community to find help
Stories of growth, challenge and change will be shared from across Canada to acknowledge the steady commitment and ingenuity of grassroots leaders and networks. An interactive discussion with advocates from provincial and territorial Elder Abuse Prevention Networks will impart their experiences strengthening and developing new networks unique to their jurisdiction, forming creative alliances, and working strategically across communities and with all levels of government to achieve our common goals.
This webinar will inspire people of all ages to engage in the Future Us movement and join our shared journey to creating a safe, supportive and inclusive society.
Facilitator
Margaret MacPherson
Research Associate, Centre for Research and Education on Violence Against Women and Children Margaret designs and develops curriculum and related materials on a number of initiatives including the Make It Our Business workplace domestic violence program and It’s Not Right! Neighbours, Friends and Families for Older Adults. Margaret is passionate in her belief that everyone has an important contribution to make in creating safe and supportive environments at work and in our communities.
WATCH THE RECORDING
DOWNLOAD THE SLIDES
WHEN
March 20, 2025
From 10 AM to 11 AM Pacific /
From 1:00 to 2:00 PM Eastern
ESL Interpretation provided
As Canadians prepare to file their taxes this year, scammers are already devising schemes. Scammers may pose as Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), Service Canada agents or other authority figures to try to steal your personal information, identity or money.
EAPO in collaboration with CNPEA, have invited Stephane Senecal, Senior Support Unit Coordinator from the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre to inform Canadians on how to protect themselves from tax scams. In this webinar, you will learn how to recognize types of tax schemes, how they work, and their consequences. The presentation will provide examples of some of the latest tax-related scams, tips to protect yourself against scams and frauds, and how to report a scam or suspicious activity to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.
PRESENTER
Stephanie Senecal
Senior Support Unit Coordinator, Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, Royal Canadian Mounted Police and Ontario Provincial Police
WATCH THE RECORDING
ACCESS THE SLIDES (PDF)
WHEN
Wednesday, February 26
10 AM to 11 AM Pacific /
1 PM to 2 PM Eastern
ASL interpretation available
ABOUT
To mark Pink Shirt Day, CNPEA and Elder Abuse Prevention Ontario are hosting a special webinar on bullying prevention among older people. EAPO is partnering with the Sheridan Centre for Elder Research, and the Bob Rumball Canadian Centre of Excellence for the Deaf as they undertake a Senior’s Anti-Bullying Implementation & Evaluation Project to better understand senior to senior bullying in Ontario, and support the development of best practices and strategies.
Join this webinar to hear the “lessons” learned so far during the implementation and evaluation of the Senior’s Anti-bullying Project and what initiatives are coming up in the project’s future. An overview of the Solutions: Everybody’s Business Senior to Senior Anti-Bullying Toolkit will be provided, and presenters will address the toolkit is being used in community settings, as well as updates and additions being made based on engagement and input from seniors.Learn more here.
PRESENTERS
Liza Franses, Project Manager, Sheridan Centre for Elder Research
Liza (Leeza) Franses is an older adult advocate that has worked with diverse older adult communities in Toronto & the GTA. Her background ranges from working with older adults in long-term care to adult day programs, managing a multicultural Seniors Active Living Centre, to currently working as the Project Manager of the Senior’s Anti-Bullying Project.
Dr. Kirsten Madsen, Project Director Seniors' Anti-Bullying Project, Sheridan College
Dr. Kirsten Madsen is a faculty member at Sheridan College. She received her PhD in Developmental Psychology from the University of Sheffield in England. Specifically, her graduate work was with the Sheffield University anti-bullying project. Since then she went on to assess what anti-bullying strategies were being implemented by schools across England.
Niki Golnabi, Facilitator, Seniors' Anti-Bullying Project, Sheridan College
Niki is an Iranian-Canadian student studying Early Childhood Education at Sheridan College. She is currently a facilitator with the Seniors’ Anti-bullying Project, as well as a student educator at a childcare centre in Oakville. Niki started her studies in the Animation program at Sheridan, but later became interested in being actively involved in building strong and diverse communities, by directly learning from the people in them. She is drawn to projects that are focused on implementing creative ideas, and believes secure connections are a core necessity at any age in life.
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