From “intrusive” and “excessive” to financially abusive? Charitable and religious fund-raising amongst vulnerable older people
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/JAP-07-2015-0021 |
| Published date | 11 April 2016 |
| Date | 11 April 2016 |
| Pages | 86-95 |
| Author | Mark Redmond |
| Subject Matter | Health & social care,Vulnerable groups,Adult protection |
From “intrusive”and “excessive”to
financially abusive? Charitable and
religious fund-raising amongst
vulnerable older people
Mark Redmond
Mark Redmond is Senior
Lecturer at School of
Health and Social Care,
University of Gloucestershire,
Cheltenham, UK.
Abstract
Purpose –The purpose of this paper is to explore the nature of both charitable and religious fundraising
amongst vulnerable older adults. It is a practice that is hidden and opaque. The circumstances surrounding
the death of Olive Clarke in spring 2015, however, suggest that it is a practice that involves “intrusive”and
“excessive”practices. Fundraising amongst vulnerable older adults is largely unregulated and independently
monitored. This paper argues that ensuring the protection of vulnerable older adults requires substantial
change and new accountabilities.
Design/methodology/approach –This paper explores current approaches to financial abuse and the
focus on family and professional carers as the main likely perpetrators. However, using literature from both
the USA and Australia, it considers notions of “trust”and professional behaviour, and the way that vulnerable
older adults are subject to new forms of abuse as a result of financial technology such as online and
telephone banking. It links this with the practices of charitable fundraisers using techniques such as cold
calling and direct mail.
Findings –The circumstances surrounding the death of Olive Clarke suggest that charities, and those
fundraise for charities appear to engage in a practice whereby they sell the names of likely donors to each
other. This practice opens opportunities for abusive relationships to take place. At the same time many clergy
operate like the single GP surgeries that allowed Shipman to practice unnoticed and unaccountable. The
relationship between clergy and their aging congregation, who are relied upon to raise funds for church
activities, open up the opportunity for abuse to take to place. Few records on charitable giving exist that
permit regulation and independent scrutiny.
Research limitations/implications –Current research in this area is limited by the focus on family and
professional carers as likely perpetrators of financial abuse, and through attention on child sexual abuse in
general. There is a lack of research on charitable giving, and the focus tends to be on altruism rather than the
practices and motivations of fundraisers themselves. This paper intends to begin an academic debate to the
context in which Olive Clarke took her own life.
Practical implications –In the wake of the death of Olive Clarke the Fundraising Standards Board has
been tasked with reviewi ng the way charities raise funds amongst vul nerable older adults. No one has yet
used the language of financial abuse, choosing to opt for the terms “excessive”and “intrusive”there is a
need to shift this debate and encourage greater regulation and accountability.
Social implications –This paper seeks to explore how some of the organisations that are supposed to
protect and care for vulnerable people engage in practices that exploit and abuse. It is timely as debates
about charitable giving are beginning to increase, and the role of the church and the religious groups in the
abuse of children is being considered by the new independent inquiry in the UK. It has significant implications
for accountability, trust and regulation.
Originality/value –The financial abuse of older adults is rarely considered outside of the family –carer
nexus. However, changes in the banking and financial systems means that opportunities for abuse are
Received 10 July 2015
Revised 30 November 2015
17 December 2015
18 January 2016
Accepted 3 February 2016
PAG E 86
j
THE JOURNAL OF ADULT PROTECTION
j
VOL. 18 NO. 2 2016, pp. 86-95, © Emerald Group Publishing Limited, ISSN 1466-8203 DOI 10.1108/JAP-07-2015-0021
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