HelpAge research summary

The rights of older people in Peru

Information on the extent to which older people enjoy their human rights in Peru is rarely available or included in the States reports to human rights monitoring and accountability mechanisms. In response to this lack of data, HelpAge International carried out a survey in 2012 with 100 women and men over the age of 50 in Peru. This summary illustrates the key findings of the survey. These findings provide evidence on gaps in the protection of older peoples human rights and reinforce the need for national and international action, mechanisms and processes to ensure that the human rights of older people are better addressed.
Despite ratification of core international and regional human rights treaties, national policies dedicated to the social protection of older people and Perus National Plan for Older People, the survey findings presented in this summary point to possible failures by the State to take all appropriate measures to protect and promote the rights of older people. Older women and men in the survey reported that discrimination on the basis of their age was a regular and common experience in their lives. They had experienced extremely high levels of violence and abuse since the age of 50 and reported unmet health needs, neglect in social care and being treated in a degrading or humiliating way because of their age. However, in spite of the discrimination they face, older women and men reported that they participate actively in political and community life. The findings presented here aim to capture the position and experiences of the 100 older women and men interviewed in the survey. They are not intended to be representative of the population of older people as a whole. More information on the survey and how it was conducted can be found on the back page of this summary.

s accusations abuse (see gure 6)

2 The rights of older people in Peru

The right to physical security 0.000000 16.666700 33.333401 50.000101 66.666801 83.333502 (protection from crime, violence and abuse)
Experience of at least one form of crime, violence or abuse since the age of 50
Over half of respondents (54 per cent) stated they did not feel safe from crime and violence, while 83 per cent reported experiencing at least one type of personal crime, violence or abuse since the age of 50, including similar proportions of men and women. High levels of financial abuse were reported, with just over two-thirds of all respondents (68 per cent) experiencing at least one type of financial abuse since the age of 50 (see Figure 1).
40%

Figure 1: Reported types of crime, violence and abuse

68%

Financial abuse

52%

Emotional abuse

Physical abuse

14%

Sexual abuse

16%

Malicious accusations abuse

Financial crime, violence and abuse

Sixty eight per cent of respondents reported experiencing Sample graph at least one type of financial abuse since the age of 50. 0% text Of those who reported financial abuse, 21 per cent had experienced this abuse in the last 12 months and 42 Sample graph per cent reported experiencing the abuse more than once. 0% text Prevalence was higher among men, those living in rural Sample areas and the Quechua and Mestizo graph(Mixed) ethnic groups. 0% text Nine respondents did not tell anyone about the incident.
Sample Stealing of money, property or possessions was the most graph 0% text crime, violence or commonly reported type of financial abuse (see Figure 2). 0% Sample graph text Sample graph text Sample graph text Sample graph text

Figure 2: Reported types of financial abuse

Stealing of money, property or possessions

42%

19%

Experiencing money, property or possessions being taken away by force

14%

Being tricked or cheated out of money, property or possessions Being denied money, property or possessions that was theirs Being prevented from having their fair share of money, inheritance, property or possessions

17%

14%

0%

Being made to leave a house, farm or property by force 8% or without their permission or consent Other people making nancial decisions for them 3 % without their permission or consent

0%

0%

Emotional crime, violence and abuse Sample

graph Fifty two per cent of respondents reported experiencing 0% text Sample graph at least one type of emotional abuse since the age of 50. text 0% Sample Of those who reported emotional abuse, 67 per cent had graph text experienced the abuse more0% than once and 23 per cent had Sample graph experienced the abuse in the last 12 months. Ten per cent text 0% Sample did not tell anyone about the incident. graph Prevalence was text 0%aged Sample higher among women, people 70-79 years, the graph Quechua and Mestizo (Mixed) Sample text groups and those 0%ethnic graph of perpetrators were living in rural areas. The vast majority 0% text Sample spouses, current partners and family graph members or relatives. 0% Sample text The most commonly reported form of emotional abuse graph text 0% degraded, Sample was being put down, belittled, humiliated or graph shamed (see Figure 3). 0% Sample text graph 0% text Sample graph 0% Sample text graph

Figure 3: Reported types of emotional abuse

Being put down, belittled, degraded, humiliated or shamed

34%

29%

Being excluded or ignored

11%

Experiencing controlling behaviour (such as being prevented from having contact with friends or family, or threats to hurt you)

A support organisation or counsellor A community or village leader A religious leader An NGO Family or friends

The rights of older people in Peru 3

Physical crime, violence and abuse

Forty per cent of respondents reported experiencing at least one type of physical abuse since the age of 50. Of those who reported physical abuse, 13 per cent had experienced this in the last 12 months and 25 per cent had experienced it more than once. Prevalence was particularly high among the Quechua and Sample graph text Mestizo (Mixed) ethnic group. Twenty three per cent of respondents reported experiencing violence or force; 12 per cent the use of a knife, gun, stick or other weapon; 12 per cent threats to kill them; and 11 per cent physical restraint, such as being tied up or locked in a room. While 14 respondents reported this to the police and 5 to a legal centre, a sizeable number did not (see Figure 4). This raises questions about whether these crimes are being committed with impunity and without any form of redress for the victims.

Figure 4: Sources of help and support sought Did not tell anyone by those reporting physical abuse
Figures represent number of respondents out of 100 surveyed

14 The police 5 A legal centre or legal authorities

The 3police A hospital or health centre AA legal centre oror legal authorities 1 community village leader (no respondents) A hospital or health centre (no respondents)24 Family or friends A community or leader 9 village Someone else A religious 4 Didleader not tell anyone Family or friends

Sexual crime, violence and abuse

Fourteen per cent of respondents reported experiencing at least one type of sexual abuse since the age of 50. Of those who reported sexual abuse, 57 per cent had experienced the abuse more than once and 2 per cent had experienced this in the last year. More women (20 per cent) than men (7 per cent) reported sexual abuse, with a higher proportion of members of the Quechua, Mestizo (Mixed), Amaznico and Black (Afro Peruano) ethnic groups. A higher proportion of those with a limiting longstanding illness or disability (LLID) (20 per cent) reported physical abuse than those who do not experience a LLID (9 per cent). No one reported the incident to the police or other legal authority, or sought medical help. Ten respondents did not tell anyone about the abuse (see Figure 5). This raises questions about whether these crimes are being committed with impunity and with no redress or access to justice.

Did not tell anyone Figure 5: Sources of help and support sought by those reporting sexual abuse
Figures represent number of respondents out of 100 surveyed

0 The police 0 A legal centre or legal authorities 0 A hospital or health centre 1 A community or village leader 1 A religious leader 3 Family or friends 10 Did not tell anyone

Malicious accusation abuse

Sixteen per cent of all respondents Sample reported experiencing at least one type of maliciousgraph accusation abuse since the 0% text age of 50. Of those who reported malicious accusations, 3 per cent had experienced this within the last 12 months Sample graph and 7 per cent had experienced this more than once. 0% text The majority had told their family and friends about the Sample incident, but none had told the police.
0% text Prevalence was higher among women, those living in rural areas and in the peri-urban area (outside Lima), those with Sample graph a limiting longstanding illness or disability (LLID) and 0% text among the Queschua and Mestizo (Mixed) ethnic groups. graph

Figure 6: Reported types of malicious accusations

Accusations of being a witch or spirit possession or sorcery Accusations of using witchcraft, evil spirits, spells, black magic or evil spirits Physical or verbal abuse due to witchcraft or related accusations

11%

10%

10%

The most frequently reported graph type of malicious accusation 0% text was that of being a witch (see Figure 6).
0% Sample graph text

Sample

4 The rights of older people in Peru

The right to individual life, equal treatment and dignity

Dignity, autonomy and social isolation
Thirty seven per cent of respondents felt socially isolated because of their age. Sample
Sample graph text treatment and lack The most common form of detrimental text 0% of autonomy, choice and control associated with older age Sample was other people looking down at them or treating them graph text in a humiliating, shameful0% or degrading way which was reported by 45 per cent of respondents (see Figure 7). Sample 0% graph text graph

Figure 7: Types of detrimental treatment reported because of age

The police 43% Not treated with dignity and respect A legal centre or legal authorities Other people look down at them or treat them in a humiliating, 45% shameful or degrading way A hospital or health centre Other make important decisions for A support organisation or people counsellor 32% them without their permission or consent A community or village leader 31% A religious leader An NGO 31% Feeling that what happens to them is outside of their control Feeling of being pushed around

0%

Sample graph text Sample graph text Sample graph text

0%

0%

Family or friends

Social care and support needs and neglect Sample

Nineteen per cent of that they had needed help or support with everyday personal care and Sample activities. graph Of those needing personal care and support, 18 respondents Sample indicated that they had received help or support from graph family, friends, professionals, an 0% textNGO or other source. However, five respondents indicated that they had felt Sample care needs (see neglected in relation to their personal graph Figure 8). 0% text
Sample graph Sample graph text 0% text Sample Exposure to intense informal caring graph 0% text activities Sample Twenty six respondents reported undertaking informal graph unpaid caring activities for relatives or friends who were 0% text frail or physically or mentally ill. graph that they had provided Of these, 14 respondents indicated 0% text intense unpaid activities of more than 20 hours a week (see Figure 9). Sample 0% graph text Sample 0% text graph respondents 0% text indicated

Figure 8: Provision of everyday personal care Did not tell anyone and support
Figures represent number of respondents out of 100 surveyed

19 care and support

Need everyday personal

18 the care and support they need 1 everyday personal care and support they need
Of those needing everyday personal care and support, have Less 5 than 10been neglected Between 10 and 20 Of those needing it, do not receive the

Of those needing it, receive

Figure 9:than Time More 20 spent on unpaid care for others

Figures represent number of respondents providing unpaid care, out of 100 surveyed

8 Less than 10 hours a week 4 Between 10 and 20 hours a week 14 More than 20 hours a week

Yes 40%

The rights of older people in Peru 5 79%

Yes

The right to the highest attainable standard of health

Male
No or missing 60%

Female

No or missing 21%

Access to healthcare
Over half (56 per cent) of respondents indicated that there was no health facility within 30 minutes travel time of their home, including 61 per cent of men and 52 per cent of women. The worst access was among those in a peri-urban location outside Lima (see Figure 10). Lack of access was highest among the Mestizo (Mixed) and Black (Afro Peruano) ethnic groups.

Figure 10: Access to healthcare facility within 30 minutes

No 77% No 67% No 32% 10%*

Periurban
3%* Yes 20% 3%*

Urban
Yes 30%

Rural
Yes 58%

* Do not know or declined to answer

of respondents Experiences of discrimination, poor reported experiencing treatment and neglect in healthcare emotional abuse Sample Sample graph text

46%

Sample graph text

Figure 11: Age discrimination in accessing healthcare

the A considerablesince proportion ofgraph older people felt they were age of 50 0% text being directly discriminated against in access to healthcare Sample graph text Sample because of their age. Thirty per cent said they had been graph refused or denied treatment, 37 per cent refused health 0% text Sample graph text insurance, 41 per cent given worse healthcare, and 34 per Sample cent had their healthcare needs neglected because of their graph Sample graph text 0% text age (see Figure 11).
Sample Sample graph text graph text

30%

Refused or denied medical treatment

37% Refused health insurance Experiencing worse treatment by health professionals Sample graph text

41%

0%

34%

Health and medical needs were neglected

Unmet health needs

Forty three occasion since the age of 50 when they had needed healthcare but had not received it. Of these Sample respondents, six had received Sample graph text graph 0% for text advice from someone else, instance, a pharmacist, traditional healer or a shopkeeper, and 17 had tried to Sample graph text Sample access healthcare but had been refused or denied it. graph The most common barrier to Sample accessing was graphhealthcare text Sample because seeing a medical professional or buying health graph equipment was too expensive (see Figure 12). 0% text Sample graph text
0% Sample graph Sample graph text text Sample Sample graph text graph text Sample graph text Sample graph text Sample graph text Sample graph Sample graph text text Sample Sample graph text graph text Sample graph text 0% text

Sample graph text Sample graph 0% text Sample graph text Sample graph respondents0% reported at graph leasttext one Sample text

Figure 12: Barriers to accessing healthcare

Figures represent number of respondents out of 100 surveyed

17 refused health care 3 inrmity making it too dicult to travel 6 The health facility being too far away 1 Lack of access to transport 1 Transport being too expensive 24
Their illness, disability or

Tried but were denied or

0%

Seeing a medical professional, or health equipment, such as bandages and or medicines, being too expensive

13 quality or the sta often being absent 14 Not having health insurance 21 by health professionals 2 or did not want to be a burden on family or relatives 5 household responsibilities or other commitments 4 Other reason
Too busy with other work, Feeling too old to bother Treated badly in past

The health facility being of a low

0%

0%

0%

0%

6 The rights of older people in Peru

The right to an adequate standard of living

Discriminatory denial of everyday essentials
Over half of respondents (56 per cent) reported lack of access to everyday essentials such as food, water, shelter, Sample graph heating, fuel and clothing as a serious problem for them 0% text personally all of the time, with a further 16 per cent experiencing such difficulties regularly Sample and 12 per cent graph occasionally. 0% text The proportion of those experiencing difficulties all of the Sample time was higher among older people graph with a limiting 0% text longstanding illness or disability (LLID), those who live in rural areas and those who are from the Black (Afro Peruano), Sample graph Blanco (White) or Quechua ethnic groups.
0% text

Figure 13: Denial of everyday essentials on the basis of age

48%

Never

19%

All of the time

7% Regularly

23%

Occasionally

Of those who reported lack of access to everyday Sample essentials, 49 per cent said thisgraph was because of their age 0% text (see Figure 13).
0% Sample graph text

Access to income and social security Sample

Figure 14: Access to income and social security

Any type of paid work activity (formal or informal)

graph Nearly half of respondents Sample (48 per cent) indicated that they 0% text graph had received income from formal or informal work. Only 23 0% text Sample per cent received income from a pension. No respondents graph reported receiving money or support from social benefits Sample 0% text graph paid to older people (see Figure 14). 0% text Sample graph Only three respondents mentioned difficulties with Sample 0% text graph The reasons given were receiving or accessing pensions. 0% text illness disability or infirmity making Sampleit too difficult to graph travel to get the money; not having the necessary papers Sample 0% text graph or identification or having a problem with these papers; 0% text Sample or payments being always or often late. graph Sample 0% text graph 0% text Sample graph Sample 0% text graph 0% text Sample graph Sample 0% text graph 0% text Sample graph Sample 0% text graph 0% text Sample graph Sample 0% text graph 0% text Sample graph text Sample graph text

48%

23%

Pension

0% Money or support from social benets paid to older people Money or support from other social insurance protection and social security benets or receiving allowances paid by 9% government or local government or NGOs

1 % Income from sale of assets or savings

4 % Money from a loan, credit or money lender

8%

Money or support from husband or wife

33%

Money or support from family or friends

3 % Money or support from a charity or NGO or religious organisation

0%

7% Money from another source

0%

Discrimination at work Sample and in access graph to financial services 0% text Sample
0% text Sample

Figure 15: Discrimination in access to work and loans

graph reported they had been Forty three per cent of respondents text 0% Sample refused work because of their age since the age of 50. graph

43% Refused work because of their age

Twenty three per cent had been refused a loan because graph 0% Sample of their age since the age of 50 text (see Figure 15).
graph 0% text Sample graph 0% text Sample

23% Refused a loan because of their age

The rights of older people in Peru 7

The right to political voice and participation

Political participation
The vast majority of respondents (80 per cent) had voted in the last national election in Peru. Among those who did not vote, reasons included not being registered to vote, being unable to get to the polling station, not being interested in politics and feeling that voting doesnt make a difference (see Figure 16). No respondents cited lack of relevant identity cards or papers, or personal safety or security, as a reason for not voting. Figure 16: Reasons for not voting
Figures represent number of respondents out of 100 surveyed

3 Not being registered to vote 1 Not being able to get to the polling station 3 Not being interested in politics 2 Feeling that voting does not make a dierence

Participation in political and Sample graph text public affairs

Nearly three quarters of respondents (71 per cent) reported participating in political, public or community life in the Sample graph last 12 months. This included a slightly higher proportion 0% text of women than men, those living in rural areas and those Samplegroup. Participation was from the Mestizo (Mixed) ethnic graph lower among respondents with 0% text a limiting longstanding illness or disability (LLID) than among those without an Sample LLID. graph Participation declined as people got older (see Figure 17).
0% Sample graph text Sample graph text Sample graph text Sample graph text Sample graph text Sample graph text 0% text

Figure 17: Participation in political life and public or community affairs in the last 12 months, by narrow age band

75%

50-54 years

84%

55-59 yrs

75%

60-64 years

74%

65-69 years

0%

62%

70-74 years

0%

69%

75-79 years

0%

50%

80-84 years

0%

60%

85+ years

0%

Knowledge and understanding of Sample graph human rights 0% text

0% text

Figure 18: Knowledge of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights

Fifty eight per cent of respondents had not heard of the Sample Sample graph Universal Declaration of Human Rights (see Figure 18). graph 0% text Despite this, 89 per cent of respondents felt that older Sample Sample people should stand up more actively graph for their rights.
0% graph 0% text text Sample Sample graph graph 0% text text Sample Sample graph graph 0% text text Sample Sample graph graph 0% text text Sample graph text 40% Yes

58%

No

0%

2 % Declined to answer

0%

0%

0%

8 The rights of older people in Peru

Survey on the human rights of older people in Peru

The aim of the survey is to extend knowledge and understanding of older peoples rights in Peru by providing data on critical areas, systematically disaggregated by a range of characteristics such as sex, disability, ethnic group, area type and narrow age band. The survey questions were based on a panel of indicators that was developed in line with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights framework of human rights indicators. The findings cover areas such as older womens and mens access to basic essential goods, hunger and food allocation within the household; access to healthcare and experiences of poor treatment, neglect and discrimination in healthcare. Questions also focused on older womens and mens experience of dignity and respect, autonomy and social isolation; physical security, including protection from violence, and other aspects of elder abuse, such as financial and emotional abuse and malicious accusations (for example witchcraft). Further, the questions covered older peoples participation in political affairs and public and community life, and their knowledge and understanding of human rights. representative of the population of older people as a whole. Ethical and safety guidelines from the WHO Multi-country Study on Womens Health and Domestic Violence Against Women were used to inform the survey design.

Note about disaggregation

For ethical and safety reasons, data is not presented disaggregated by multiple characteristics. This is due to the sensitive nature of the questions on domestic violence, sexual abuse and elder abuse and any potential harm to respondents should their identity be disclosed. A full research report is available at www.helpage.org/monitoringrights

Acknowledgements
HelpAge International would like to thank the German Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development for their financial support of this research. Special thanks go to Polly Vizard of the Centre for the Analysis of Social Exclusion at the London School of Economics who developed the survey, did the analysis, and wrote the research report. We would like to thank Peru Centro Proceso Social who undertook the fieldwork with Instituto para el Desarrollo de la Pesca y la Minera (IPEMIN), Centro de Capacitacin de Campesino de la Universidad Nacional San Cristbal de Huamanga (CCCUNSCH), Auquis de Ollantay and Asociacin Nacional del Adulto Mayor del Per (ANAMPER). Thank you also to all the older people who were interviewed.

How the survey was conducted

The survey was carried out in 2012 with 100 women and men over the age of 50 in peri-urban areas of Lima Metropolitana and urban and rural areas of Chincha, Chiclayo, Piura, Loreto, Ayacucho, Cajamarca and Abancay. Disproportionate purposive sampling with quotas was used to ensure coverage across different subgroups, including those hardest to reach and those over 80 years old. The findings in this summary are intended to capture the position and experiences of the older people interviewed in the survey. As the sample was limited to 100 people, the findings are not intended to be

HelpAge International helps older people claim their rights, challenge discrimination and overcome poverty, so that they can lead dignified, secure, active and healthy lives.
HelpAge International, PO Box 70156, London WC1A 9GB, UK Tel +44 (0)20 7278 7778 Fax +44 (0)20 7387 6992 info@helpage.org www.helpage.org
Copyright 2013 HelpAge International Registered charity no. 288180 Written by Bridget Sleap Edited by Portia Reyes Front page photo by Antonio Olmos/ HelpAge International Design by TRUE www.truedesign.co.uk Print by Manor Creative www.manorcreative.com Printed on Revive 100 Offset, 100 per cent recycled and FSC certified Any parts of this publication may be reproduced without permission for non-profit and educational purposes unless indicated otherwise. Please clearly credit HelpAge International and send us a copy of the reprinted sections.

ISBN 1 872590 82 9
This research and summary was produced with the financial assistance of the German Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development. The contents of this document are the sole responsibility of HelpAge International and do not necessarily reflect the views of BMZ.

Sign up for our enewsletter at: www.helpage.org/enewsletters