Brazilian Elder Abuse Cases Rise as Awareness Campaign Launches

On June 15, World Elder Abuse Awareness Day highlighted a sharp increase in violence against older adults in Brazil. Data from the National Human Rights Ombudsman show a 38% rise in reported cases in the first months of 2025, with more than 65,000 complaints filed. Experts stress the importance of early detection, listing signs such as changes in behavior, isolation, fear of caregivers, frequent injuries, unexplained weight loss, poor hygiene and unusual financial transactions.

The Brazilian Society of Geriatrics and Gerontology (SBGG) has launched a year‑long campaign to educate the public about the many forms of elder abuse beyond physical aggression, including neglect, abandonment, psychological abuse, financial control, social exclusion, infantilization and structural ageism. The campaign will deploy educational activities across the country’s regions to promote respect for autonomy and dignity among older people.