Today is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day.

Portage la Prairie Mayor Irvine Ferris and Portage Service For Seniors Executive Director Shelly Caskey signed a proclamation to mark June 15th as the day here in Portage. Caskey says they see a growing concern about elder abuse, and it's closer than you think.

"It's certainly here, we can't say it's not in our community. I think it's more talkable though, people are coming to us more now than they did even 5 years ago."

Ferris speaks on the importance of the issue.

"First of all, older Manitoban's are valued members of our society and certainly of our city. We have a high proportion of seniors in our city, and unfortunately this is issues that some seniors face, and it's important to recognize that and acknowledge it. It's also important to get the word out to the public."

Caskey says it's something that's closer than people think, as people are beginning to open up more about issues now than in the past. Portage Service for Seniors is holding a barbecue today at Vopni Park from 11:30 to 1:30 p.m