Elder Abuse, Abuse, California 2023

Elder Abuse Awareness Day Highlights Vulnerability of Older Population

The U.S. Department of Justice observed World Elder Abuse Awareness Day on June 15 to raise awareness about the vulnerability of the elder population to abuse and violence.

For the first time in its history, the Department of Justice observed World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, which was first celebrated in 2005. The event was organized by the International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse.

Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Division Tony West and Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) Director Susan B. Carbon participated in events in Anaheim, Calif., and Washington, D.C. The events were part of the Justice Department's year-long commemoration of the 15th anniversary of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA).

The U.S. Bureau of the Census predicts that by 2030, the population over age 65 will double to more than 70 million people and older people will make up almost 20 percent of the population. According to the best available estimates, between 1 and 2 million Americans age 65 or older have experienced abuse, and for each reported case about five more cases go unreported.

The Department of Justice funds programs throughout the country that provide communities with training and resources to combat elder abuse and serve survivors in later life. OVW has provided more than $25 million in funding to 75 communities since 2002 through its Abuse in Later Life Program. Also since 2002, the Office of Justice Programs has awarded more than $6.7 million to 20 programs.

The Justice Department sponsored a World Elder Abuse Awareness Day event in Washington, D.C., featuring Assistant Attorney General West, Deputy Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Justice Programs Mary Lou Leary, and HHS Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary on Aging Cindy R. Padilla. Kathleen Quinn from the National Adult Protection Services Association, King County (Washington State) Prosecutor Page Ulrey, and Bob Blancato from the Elder Justice Coalition also participated.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/archives/opa/pr/department-justice-observes-june-15-world-elder-abuse-awareness-day