During the past five years, while living with his daughter, Mr. T., 92, was often afraid to eat the meals she prepared for him, fearing poisoning. She refused to accompany him to medical appointments required to treat a cancerous tumor. Would not help him up when he fell to the floor. Yelled at him for no reason.
The story of Mr. T., whose abuse by his daughter is revealed in a court document obtained by The Press and whose facts have not yet been proven in court, is unfortunately not unique.
According to data obtained by The Pressthe Quebec Adult and Senior Abuse Helpline received more than 800 calls per month from 1er April to July 31, 2024, up 39% from last year.
More than once a day, the Montreal Police Department (SPVM) intervenes in cases of elder abuse in the city. The crimes can involve physical, psychological, sexual, and financial abuse. In each case, there is one constant: a bond of trust exists between the victim and the person abusing them.
“The most common form is psychological abuse. But there is often more than one form of abuse used. And psychological abuse can be used to extort money from someone,” explains Mélanie Couture, holder of the Research Chair on Abuse of Elderly People at the University of Sherbrooke.
Mr. T.’s daughter had moved in with her parents about five years ago. She was responsible for their assets, and then for her father’s after her mother died. In April 2023, Mr. T. noticed a $130,000 hole in his bank accounts. He questioned his daughter. A few days later, she obtained a court order for her father to undergo a psychiatric assessment. Mr. T. would spend weeks at the Montreal Hospital, where it was determined that he had “no mental health issues.” The doctors would even advise that “for his safety, he should not return home if his daughter […] still remains there.”
Losing your life savings
Detective Sergeant at the SPVM, Johanne Gauthier handles all cases of abuse against vulnerable people in the city. When asked if it is fair to say that fraud is a “non-violent” crime, Mme Gauthier responds: “Not for me.” “The effects I see on people, it’s terrible. I’ve always said it’s as bad as a crime against the person,” she says.
Often, the people who defraud you, you have a connection with them. You trust them. You have developed a friendship. Or it’s family. It’s this whole connection that is also broken in the recognition of the crime.. Psychologically, it’s very hard.
Johanne Gauthier, detective sergeant at the SPVM
Some victims lose their “life savings.” Others see their health and independence deteriorate rapidly after the crime. Others commit suicide.
When financial abuse occurs within a family, it is often accompanied by verbal or physical violence. As in the case of Mr. T.
Mme Gauthier adds that some seniors will sign a power of attorney to a relative to take care of their affairs and “will be defrauded because they are not able to make the necessary checks.”
Many victims are often isolated by their fraudster.
It’s part of a pattern of fraud, isolate and intimidate.. Get the victim not to talk to others. In fact, scammers take control of just about everything.
Johanne Gauthier, detective sergeant at the SPVM
What leads a child to defraud his parents? Or a caregiver to steal from the person he is caring for? “Often, there are money problems. Consumption problems. Alcohol problems. Drug problems. Gambling problems…” lists M.me Gauthier.
Mme Couture adds that people who abuse a loved one often tend to “put their own needs first.” “In the case of financial abuse, for example, people say, ‘My mother doesn’t need that money. I do,'” she says.
Some children try to justify their actions by saying that it is a way for them to pay themselves for all the services they have provided to their parents. Or that, in any case, they are just collecting money that they will inherit later. “But we want people to keep their money until the end of their lives if they need it,” says M.me Gauthier.