Associate Attorney General Tony West and Assistant Attorney General Stuart F. Delery delivered remarks at an outreach event to federal, state and local law enforcement, as well as to other partners who combat elder abuse. The remarks focused on the significant contributions that the Elder Justice website can make to the field and on the Department’s commitment to protecting seniors from abuse and exploitation.
Protecting older Americans is one of the Department’s top priorities, as evidence shows that nearly one in 10 people over the age of 60 suffer abuse and neglect. Elder abuse includes physical, sexual and emotional abuse, neglect and financial exploitation. Elder abuse depletes the resources of individuals, families, businesses and public programs, including Medicare and Medicaid, by billions of dollars each year, which in turn places enormous burdens on our health care, financial and judicial systems.
The Elder Justice website will serve as a resource for elder abuse prosecutors, researchers and practitioners, and most importantly, for victims of elder abuse and their families. This website will also serve as a forum for law enforcement and elder justice policy communities to share information and enhance public awareness about elder abuse.
“The launch of the Elder Justice website today marks another milestone in reaching our shared goal of keeping older Americans safe from abuse and neglect,” said Associate Attorney General West. “The more we embrace our elders with respect and care, the stronger our society will be. This tool helps move us closer to that goal.”
Older Americans are also targeted by consumer scams, health care fraud and financial exploitation, and protecting this group from financial exploitation is also a priority of the department. It is estimated that older adults in the United States lose more than $2.9 billion annually from financial exploitation. Financial loss may result in loss of independence, decreased health and psychological distress, all of which culminate in a diminished quality of life for older adults.
Partners in attendance included the Federal Trade Commission; the American Bar Association; the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services-Office of the Inspector General; the National Association for Medicaid Fraud Control Units; the Office of the U.S. Attorney General for the District of Columbia; the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau; and the Social Security Administration.
“The website provides resources and a means for improved communication among prosecutors, supports victims and families, and establishes a mechanism for collaboration for researchers and practitioners,” said Assistant Attorney General Delery. “While there are many other victim support websites available, we believed that the department could add significant value in this domain by consolidating information nationwide and making it more user-friendly. The Civil Division will continue to strengthen its efforts to protect the elderly.”
Related Federal Cases
- NY AG vs Trump’s Targeted Law Firms · Washington
- Fentanyl Kingpins Larry Eastman and Justice Eastman Plead Guilty · Washington
- Verizon’s Dirty Deal: Justice Department Cracks Down · New York
- FDIC ComE-IN Panel to Discuss CRA Modernization, Equity Issues · Washington
- NY AG James Challenges Trump Climate Rollback · Pennsylvania
Key Facts
- State: Federal
- Category: Violent Crime|Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release ↗
🔒 Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
Browse More
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
US NewsUS NewsUS NewsUS News