The recent spate of attacks against elderly citizens underscores the urgent need for stronger protections and greater societal awareness of elder abuse, said Opposition leader Pennelope Beckles on Monday.

Beckles was the feature speaker at a health and legal clinic hosted by the Geriatric Society of Trinidad and Tobago, in commemoration of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day.

Addressing the function in the hall of the St Benedict’s RC Church in La Romaine, Beckles pointed to several recent incidents involving senior citizens who had been robbed, assaulted, exploited, or neglected, describing them as reminders of the vulnerabilities faced by older people across the country.