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DOJ Launches New Elder Justice Website

Posted  September 11, 2014

By Marlene Koury

Nearly one in 10 people over the age of 60 suffer abuse and neglect, including physical, sexual and emotional abuse, consumer scams, health care fraud and various forms of financial exploitation.  It is estimated that older adults in the United States lose more than $2.9 billion annually from financial exploitation alone.  To protect older Americans, the DOJ’s Elder Justice Initiative launched an elder abuse website as a resource for elder abuse prosecutors, researchers and practitioners – and, most importantly, for victims of such abuse.

The website includes a variety information about how to report elder abuse and financial exploitation in all 50 states, three different databases containing sample pleadings and statutes, a database containing bibliographic information for thousands of elder abuse and financial exploitation articles and reviews, and information about resources available to help prevent elder abuse and assist those who have already been abused, neglected or exploited.

Associate Attorney General Tony West, a member of the Elder Justice Initiative, said in a press release that “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.  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.”