In the 24 tier II cities of India, abuse of the elederly has come down from 31 percent last year to 23 percent, according to a report released by Helpage India.The southern temple city, Madurai, and Kanpur in Uttar Pradesh  saw the highest incidence of senior abuse while Amritsar saw the lowest.

“Around 23 percent or more than one-fifth of India's elderly are known to have experienced abuse in the form of disrespect, verbal abuse, neglect while some have even faced assault,” said the report titled “Elder Abuse in India 2013”.

The report also stated that at least 70 percent of elder abuse case go without any complaints being filed. Helpage's report is based on data collected 6,548 respondents spread across 20 states of India who were over 60 years of age.

Some of highlights of the report:

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• Physical abuse was highest in Rajasthan at 16.19 percent.
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• Daughters-in-law were the main perpetrators of elders’ abuse in Hyderabad.
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• Across India, daughters-in- law were the primary perpetrators of abuse (39 percent) followed by sons (38 percent).
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• Forms of abuse: disrespect (41 percent), verbal abuse (32 percent) with a shocking 27 percent also facing physical abuse, including beating/slapping.

“It is sad that we have come to a stage where such a day needs to be marked. A country which has always prided itself in good values, where the elders were always treated with respect, now faces changing times. A growing number of elders are silently suffering at the hands of those they trust the most,” said Mathew Cherian, chief executive officer, HelpAge India.

Seniors make up nearly 10 percent of India's population. Their numbers could swell up to 31 percent of the population by 2050, says the report.