Abuse of seniors will not be tolerated in Bermuda, the Minister of Culture and Social Rehabilitation vowed yesterday.

Dale Butler was speaking in advance of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, this Sunday, and he also praised the work of the protection agencies.

He said: "We believe that abuse of seniors should not be tolerated by any society, and shall not be tolerated in Bermuda."

Joining Government in its efforts were Age Concern Bermuda and the National Office of Seniors and the Physically Challenged (NOSPC), which recently reported they had received 66 suspected cases of elder abuse in 2007. In 2006, there were only six such cases.

Since 1995, when senior abuse statistics began to be recorded, there have been 254 cases of alleged abuse.

While it is unknown how many acts of abuse have gone unreported and how much of the increase has been caused by increased awareness, Government MP and member of Age Concern Bermuda's Board of Directors Walter Lister believes that crimes against seniors are becoming more common.

"I think there used to be a time when people swept them under the carpet," said Mr. Lister.

In March, the Seniors Abuse Register Act was signed into law, placing abusers on a list which prevents employers in senior care fields from hiring them.

In honour of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, Bermudians are asked to wear a purple ribbon on June 15.

The ribbons are available at Age Concern Bermuda on Point Finger Road or NOSPC's office on Victoria Street.