National Center on Elder Abuse E-News

Volume 10 Number 8 June 2008

In This Issue:

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day 2008: Introduction (page 1)

Guest Commentary: William Mapother on His Involvement with Elder Abuse
Awareness (page 2)

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day: International Perspectives (page 3)

AARP International Online Forum on Elder Abuse (page 13)

National Elder Abuse Public Service Announcements Distributed (page 13)

U.S. World Elder Abuse Awareness Activities (page 14)

Federal Elder Justice Initiatives (page 16)

New Online Resource: Mandatory Reporting to Adult Protective Services
Charts (page 25)

Federal Legislative Update (page 26)

Elder Abuse Research and Literature (page 29)

Funding Opportunities (page 30)

Calendar of Events (page 31)

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day 2008

My World...Your World...Our World...Free of Elder Abuse

On June 15^th^, we will observe the third annual World Elder Abuse
Awareness Day, in the effort to focus much needed attention on abuse,
neglect, and exploitation of older individuals. Established by the
International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse in 2006, this
commemoration will include a broad palette of activities, ranging from
grassroots and community outreach events, to legislative proclamations,
to professional conferences, to the launching of new programs and public
awareness campaigns. International, national, regional, and local
collaborations will illustrate that elder abuse is a threat to the
health, dignity, and well-being of aging individuals globally. World Day
core messages focus on the hidden nature of elder abuse; the belief that
ageism and disempowerment of elders contributes to the invisibility of
the problem; that empowerment is the most effective tool in the response
to elder abuse; and, above all, that elder abuse should never be
ignored.

This issue of the E-News is dedicated to the observance of World Elder
Abuse Awareness Day 2008. To provide global perspectives, the NCEA
recently asked international elder rights advocates to contribute to
this special edition. Experts across continents graciously participated
by reporting on trends and developments in their respective regions and
by providing information regarding upcoming World Day initiatives. We
wish to thank these individuals for their generous and enlightening
contributions, which illustrate the universal nature of the problems
facing older individuals. However, the diversity and creativity of the
planned activities also illustrate the resourcefulness of those
responding to elder abuse worldwide.

(Because of the wealth of international information, this special
edition of the NCEA E-NEWS is slightly longer than usual.)

As quoted from the website: "The International Network for the
Prevention for Elder Abuse was founded in 1997 and is dedicated to
global dissemination of information as part of its commitment to
world-wide prevention of elder abuse. Acknowledging the diversity of
culture, background, and life style of the world population, the
International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse aims to increase
society\'s ability, through international collaboration, to recognize
and respond to the mistreatment of older people in whatever setting it
occurs, so that the latter years of life will be free from abuse,
neglect and exploitation." For more information on the network and World
Day, visit [www.inpea.net](http://www.inpea.net/).

Guest Commentary: William Mapother on His Involvement in Elder Abuse
Awareness

My cousin Jennifer Leibson is the chair of the Louisville, Kentucky
Elder Abuse Awareness Committee. Last November she asked me to be the
spokesperson for several public service announcements to be produced by
the state's Cabinet for Health and Family Services, a project under the
direction of Kimberly Baker, elder abuse specialist. I happily agreed.
The project became national in scope when the NCEA approached Kim to
collaborate on public awareness efforts. Those public service
announcements will begin to be broadcast nationwide this month.

I'm often asked why I'm involved in this cause. My question is, "How
could I not be involved?" By 2030, over 77 million baby boomers will
reach age 65, and we're already facing a shortage of geriatric care
specialists. In coming years more elderly will be living with their
children, due to increasing longevity; many adults' lack of sufficient
retirement savings; and the likelihood of governmental cutbacks for
social programs to help pay for social security. These developments all
occur in an ageist culture which prizes youth, novelty, and productivity
in the workplace. As a result, an ever-increasing number of the elderly
are potentially at risk for abuse, neglect, and exploitation.

Those are the societal reasons I'm involved. I have personal ones, too.
Growing up in Louisville, Kentucky, I was fortunate enough to be very
close to all four of my grandparents. They were friends and mentors and
like most kids, I often listened to them more than my own parents. They
taught me fairness, discipline, love, and the importance of family. For
my first twenty years I knew them to be intelligent, independent and
strong. I'll never forget watching them become dependent on others, and
the embarrassment and fear they felt as it happened.

In late 2005, we learned my father was terminally ill. He was only 68
years old and still playing tennis and traveling frequently for work. As
he tried to navigate the health care system and adjust to a fatal
illness, I saw him experience just what my grandparents had years
earlier. I hope I never forget his vulnerability and how quickly it
overtook him. At some point, every one of us could be in his place. How
would we like society to treat us when we're there?

As we honor World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, my hope in becoming
involved is, not surprisingly, to raise awareness of the issue. I'm not
an expert and don't present myself as one, but I participate in the hope
that some recognition of my face or name might help remind each of us
that the elders' present is our future.

Special thanks to William Mapother, a stage and screen actor (TV's
"Lost") who recently began collaborating with the NCEA as a national
spokesperson for elder abuse awareness and prevention. For more
information, visit his website at
[www.williammapother.com](http://www.williammapother.com/).

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day: International Perspectives

Update On Elder Abuse Developments in Australia

The past 12 months have seen an increase in activities addressing elder
abuse in Australia. Mandatory reporting of elder abuse had not been part
of the Australian response until April 2007, when the federal government
introduced mandatory reporting of physical and sexual assault in
residential care facilities, associated with police checks of all of
these facilities. Whilst the federal government has taken responsibility
for addressing abuse in residential aged care, it has been the state
governments which have developed responses occurring in the community,
and these responses vary from state to state. In comparison to the
federal government's response, the states have taken a proactive stance
with a strong focus on prevention of elder abuse through awareness
raising and education of older people in the ways that they can protect
themselves, and training for community service providers and health care
professionals to identify older people in at-risk situations.

Queensland's Elder Abuse Prevention Unit has just celebrated its 10th
anniversary. The Unit runs an elder abuse telephone helpline; services a
peer support network; provides community awareness training; and
collects data about elder abuse across the state. In late 2007, the
state government funded a number of Seniors Legal Support Services
attached to Legal Aid Centres. One of the program's strengths is its
ability to provide home visits for older people at risk of abuse, or who
are victims of abuse, resulting in much better access to legal advice
for these elders.

In Victoria in late 2007, the state government provided funding for
community education and legal service for older people through the
Council on the Ageing, Victoria. This service will provide education,
advice, and assistance to older people across the state, with a strong
focus on those living in rural areas. Advocacy for older people will be
an important part of the service. This is the first specific elder abuse
service in Victoria and is the response to a number of reports detailing
the urgent need for this type of service.

In South Australia, which has the longest history of elder abuse
specific services, the government's 2006 -- 2011 Plan for Ageing
includes a strong focus on elder abuse prevention through raising
community awareness, and emphasis on what older people can do to protect
themselves. As part of this plan, a booklet titled Our Actions to
Prevent the Abuse of Older South Australians was launched in November
2007. The Aged Rights Advocacy Service which successfully runs the Elder
Abuse Prevention Program in South Australia was funded to develop and
carry out education for older people.

New South Wales has not developed an elder abuse specific service, but
rather has chosen to encourage an intersectoral approach to the
management of elder abuse. In late 2007, the government released its
Interagency Protocol for Responding to Abuse of Older People which sets
out the roles of the various services which deal with abuse, and their
relationship to each other. This is available at
[www.dadhc.nsw.gov.au](http://www.dadhc.nsw.gov.au/).

The Western Australian government launched its Older Persons Rights
Service on World Elder Abuse Awareness Day 2007. This service is staffed
by a lawyer and a social worker, and provides legal advice and support
to victims of elder abuse, and crisis support as needed. Research into
the gaps in services for prevention, identification, and management of
elder abuse has been occurring through collaboration between Curtin
University and the Western Australia Office for Seniors Interests and
Volunteering, and a report is expected soon. Western Australia has also
been the first state to develop a pilot education program to assist
health workers working with Aboriginal people to identify and respond to
cases of abuse within their communities.

Among other planned activities to commemorate World Elder Abuse
Awareness Day, a seminar will be held in on June 13^th^, 2008, in
Adelaide, Australia: "Take Action: Respond to Abuse of Older People,"
sponsored by Aged Rights Advocacy Service. For more information, go to:
<http://www.inpea.net/weaad/weaad2008/downloads/ARAS_WEAAD2008_Brochure.pdf>.

Special thanks to Dr. Susan Kurrle for contributing this article. Dr.
Kurrle holds the Curran Chair in Health Care of Older People and is
associate professor of medicine at the University of Sydney and Hornsby
Ku-ring-gai Hospital. Her research interests include medication as an
agent of elder abuse. She is a long standing member of the New South
Wales Guardianship Tribunal, and is the Oceania representative to the
International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse.

New Zealand: "Elder Abuse - It\'s not OK"

Age Concern - New Zealand will observe World Elder Abuse Awareness Day
through a variety of activities across the country. This year, Age
Concern is focusing on the shattering effects of psychological or
emotional abuse of elders. The following are among the planned
activities:

Information displays at posted at various Work and Income Service
Centres;

North Shore Professional forum on the Rights of Older People in
Residential Care;

Public seminars entitled: "It\'s all about Respect;"

"Respect not Threats," a one-day professional development seminar will
be held in Tarnaki;

In Waikato, a public event will feature speakers on the impact of
psychological abuse on the health and wellbeing of elders, a multimedia
presentation, and a performance of the play, "Half Life" by the
University Theatre Studies department;

In Taupo, there will be a two-week display of student art and photos
depicting their impressions of older persons.

For more information, visit:
<http://www.ageconcern.org.nz/?/weaaday#Local>.

Japan: The World Elder Abuse Awareness Day 2008 Event in Tokyo

The Japanese Committee of the International Network for the Prevention
of Elder Abuse (Chaired by Dr. Noriko Tsukada of Nihon University
Graduate School of Business) is planning a conference in Tokyo to
commemorate the 2008 observance. This year's event, scheduled to be held
on June 15th at Arcadia Ichigaya, a conference facility by the outer
moat of the Imperial Palace, will feature several speakers, a roundtable
discussion, and a luncheon gathering. Among the scheduled speakers are
Dr. Toshio Tatara (professor of Shukutoku University Graduate School of
Integrated Human and Social Welfare Studies in Chiba, Japan), who will
be talking about his memories of Dr. Rosalie S. Wolf, whom he had
invited to Japan in 1999 and with whom he had worked on a number of
research projects in the U.S. Professor Soji Tanaka of Nihon University
College of Humanities and Sciences in Tokyo will be speaking on the
history of elder abuse prevention in England. In addition, Dr. Kinuko
Takasaki, the Chair of the Japan Academy for the Prevention of Elder
Abuse and Ms. Yoko Shido, the Director of International Affairs at the
International Longevity Center -- Japan are expected to make
presentations. The membership of the Japanese Committee of the Network
is not very large, but thanks to the hard work of Dr. Tsukada and
several others, the committee is able to host its Third Annual Event for
World Elder Abuse Awareness Day and we are expecting about 30
participants this year.

Special thanks to Dr. Toshio Tatara, the former director of the National
Center on Elder Abuse, for contributing this article. Dr. Tatara served
as the principal investigator of the National Elder Abuse Incidence
Study in the U.S. In 2007, Dr. Tatara was the recipient of the
International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse Rosalie S. Wolf
Award. As a researcher and administrator in social services for over 30
years, Dr. Tatara has participated in over 50 research initiatives in
the U.S. and in Japan, many addressing issues related to elder abuse.

The Response to Elder Abuse in Sweden

Several milestones in the area of elder abuse have been reached during
the past year in Sweden. These have involved the European Union, the
Swedish government, and research initiatives. The European Union was
awarded a grant to participate in the elder abuse research project
entitled ABUEL. Professor Joaquim Soares of Karolinska Institutet,
Stockholm, is the leader of this project involving seven Member States
(Germany, Portugal, Italy, Lithuania, Greece, and Spain). ABUEL's main
objective will be to gather reliable and representative population data
on the extent, nature, predictors, and consequences of abuse/neglect
among women/men aged 60-84 years.

The Swedish Committee on Health and Welfare held a public hearing on
September 19, 2007, on the theme "Violence against Older Persons" with
the goal of increasing knowledge and awareness. This hearing was
conducted in order to clarify forward direction, and to intensify
resources to prevent and intervene in situations of violence. The
Swedish Crime Victim Compensation and Support Authority (CVCSA) has held
and is currently planning several conferences during 2008 which will
involve speakers on the topic of elder abuse. The Swedish National Board
of Health and Welfare will soon be publishing national guidelines for
the care of patients with dementia disease. This systematic review will
include a chapter on maltreatment and abuse within institutional care,
written by a pioneer in the field of elder abuse, Professor Britt-Inger
Saveman of University of Kalmar. Other recent research in Sweden
includes Christen Erlingsson's doctoral thesis based on four independent
studies; "Elder Abuse Explored through a Prism of Perceptions:
Perspectives of Potential Witnesses" (Umeå University).

Special thanks to Dr. Christen Erlingsson, Assistant Professor of
Nursing at the University of Kalmar, Sweden, for contributing this
article. For more information on the ABUEL Project, go to:
<http://ec.europa.eu/phea/documents/Abstracts_2007_all.pdf> . Dr.
Erlingsson was also involved in the World Health
Organization/International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse
"Missing Voices: Views of Older Persons on Elder Abuse" series. To
review the Swedish report, go to:
<http://www.who.int/ageing/projects/elder_abuse/alc_ea_swe.pdf>.

Belgium: The Flemish Reporting Point for Elder Abuse

The Flemish Reporting Point for Elder Abuse has been operational since
January 2003. It is a part of "Centrum Algemeen Welzijnswerk
Zuid-Oost-Vlaanderen," a Flemish social service organization. Its
working area is restricted to the Dutch-speaking part of Belgium (the
district of Flanders and the Dutch-speaking part of Brussels Capital
District). The French- and German-speaking part of Belgium is covered by
the Centre d'aide aux Personnes Agées Maltraitées.

Until July 2007, the reporting point was annually funded by the Flemish
Ministry of Welfare as a project, which year after year raised concern
about its future existence. Since July 2007, the Flemish Ministry of
Welfare has given a structural recognition and funding to the reporting
point, which means that its viability no longer is questionable.

Some of the aims of the Flemish Reporting Point are:

To raise public awareness concerning elder abuse and break the taboo
surrounding elder abuse;

Registration of every reported case of elder abuse, in order to gain
insight into its nature and prevalence;

To provide information and advice;

The ongoing development of a professional network in order to provide
the best intervention;

To train elders, professionals, home carers, volunteers, and students in
order to increase their awareness and expertise;

Influencing and advising policy bodies: federal, regional, supralocal,
and local governments and institutions;

To stimulate scientific research;

To monitor international developments.

Current activities include:

Operation of a central, inexpensive telephone number for reporting
cases, seeking information and advice, and to ask for a possible
intervention. The calls are answered by a social worker;

Central registration of reported cases;

Website that is continuously updated;

Creation and distribution of public awareness material;

Provision of information sessions for elderly, volunteers, students,
home carers;

Training sessions for professionals concerning early detection and
approach;

Networking to enhance professionalism and public awareness efforts;

Ongoing scientific research:

Currently, coordinator Gerd Callewaert is conducting research on
addressing cases of elder abuse via the method of strengths-based case
management;

Collaborating in the European Daphne II - project "Breaking the Taboo --
Empowering Health and Social Service Professionals to Combat Violence
against Older Women within Families."

In addition to organizing a Flemish Conference on Elder Abuse on June
13th in Brussels as part of the World Elder Abuse Awareness Day events,
"Georges," a play that addresses elder abuse, began touring through
Flanders in September 2007, and will continue through December 2008.

Special thanks to Mr. Gerd Callewaert, Coordinator, Flemish Reporting
Point, for contributing this article. Mr. Callewaert is a regional
representative for the International Committee for the Prevention of
Elder Abuse. In March 2008, Brussels hosted a European conference,
"Protecting the Dignity of Older Persons -- The Prevention of Elder
Abuse and Neglect," which is accessible online at:
<http://ec.europa.eu/employment_social/spsi/elder_abuse_en.htm>.

Developments in the United Kingdom

In England and Wales, policy guidance on responding to allegations of
abuse of vulnerable adults was introduced in 2000. Elder abuse is
included within the remit of adult protection and the abuse of
vulnerable adults (although there is ongoing discussion about the
definition of vulnerability). This guidance is currently being
reviewed/refreshed/updated during 2008 and there is active discussion
about whether there should be legislation in this area in the form

of one single consolidating Act such as, or similar to, the Adult
Support and Protection Act, 2007, which is being introduced in Scotland
in the coming year.

The existing policy guidance provides a framework for protection and
responding to allegations of abuse of a vulnerable adult and Social
Services have the lead role at the local level for the co-ordination of
responses. The policy provided for the development of Adult Protection
Co-ordinator posts, Adult Protection Committees, and a multi-agency
approach to responding to and

intervening in abusive situations at the local level. Where it works
well and effective inter-agency partnerships have been developed,
effective local systems have also been established.

However, because it is not mandatory for all statutory agencies to
comply with the guidance (it is [guidance,]{.underline} not an absolute
[requiremen]{.underline}t), because there is not ring-fenced finance for
the development of systems and services, and because there is not
mandatory training for all professionals and para-professionals working
in this area, developments on the ground have been patchy.

Interventions have been developing and a range of possible service
responses exists. This includes a national charity, Action on Elder
Abuse, established in 1993, which runs a telephone helpline and lobbies
government for change/action in this area. Research is being undertaken
in the field on a regular basis and the range of publications and
awareness raising materials that have been produced is impressive.

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day is seen as a time for celebration of the
development of responses to elder abuse and a key opportunity to raise
awareness at local, regional, and national levels. In 2006 and 2007, the
range of activities that took place across the United Kingdom was
phenomenal

and 2008 looks set to repeat this. The website for Action on Elder Abuse
([www.elderabuse.org.uk](http://www.elderabuse.org.uk/) ) contains
information about World Day activities across the United Kingdom; we
look forward to joining colleagues across the world in the celebrations
that will be taking place throughout the day and the days surrounding
this time.

Special thanks to Bridget Penhale, Reader in Gerontology, at the Centre
for Health and Social Care Studies & Service Development, School of
Nursing and Midwifery, University of Sheffield for contributing this
update. Ms. Penhale has conducted many research projects, and recently
provided project management and oversight to the national United Kingdom
study on prevalence of elder abuse (see below). She is a member of the
governing board of the International Network for the Prevention of Elder
Abuse.

The United Kingdom Study of the Abuse and Neglect of Older People

In 2007, the results of a prevalence study on elder abuse in the United
Kingdom were reported. The study was conducted by researchers from the
Institute of Gerontology at King's College, London, and the National
Centre for Social Research. The project was funded by Department of
Health and Comic Relief at the request of the advocacy group, Action on
Elder Abuse. A representative sample of 2,100 elders throughout England,
Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland were surveyed. While 2.6 percent
of the sample reported abuse by family and close acquaintances during
the previous year, the rate increased to 4 percent when abuse by
neighbors and other acquaintances was also included. It is estimated
that over 342,000 cases of elder mistreatment within the community
occurred during the year preceding the study. To read the study, go to:
[http://www.elderabuse.org.uk/Prevalence/Prevalence%20Report-Full.pdf](http://www.elderabuse.org.uk/Prevalence/Prevalence Report-Full.pdf).
Additional information, including a report analysis, is available from
the Action on Elder Abuse website at:
[http://www.elderabuse.org.uk/Mainpages/Prevalence%20launch.htm](http://www.elderabuse.org.uk/Mainpages/Prevalence launch.htm).

Comic Relief has also funded the Safeguarding Adults Good Practice
database. The database is managed jointly by Action on Elder Abuse and
the Practitioners Alliance for Vulnerable Adults. The database is a tool
for sharing information on promising practices in adult protective
services. To register to access the database, go to:
<http://www.elderabuse.co.uk/Registration.asp>.

Ireland Launches "Say No to Ageism Week"

On May 20^th^, the Health Service Executive, the Equality Authority, and
the National Council on Ageing and Older People launched a new campaign
to raise awareness of ageism in order to reduce the exclusion of and to
promote equality for older individuals.

In conjunction with World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, University College
of Dublin School of Nursing, Midwifery & Health Systems is hosting a
conference on June 13^th^. This conference explores the issue of elder
abuse from the perspectives of research, practice, and experience in the
voluntary sector. The conference is open to professionals who work with
older people, volunteers, legal professionals, and policy makers, and
members of the public. For more information, go to:
<http://www.inpea.net/weaad/weaad2008/downloads/WEAAD2008_Ireland_UCD.pdf>.

On that same date, the Health Service Executive will also be holding a
conference in Galway City, entitled "Learning Lessons - Sharing
Practice." For more information go to:

<http://www.hse.ie/eng/newsmedia/Elder_Abuse_Conference_Programme.pdf>.

[\
]{.mark}Developments and Initiatives in Canada

Governmental Initiatives

The Canadian government demonstrated its commitment to addressing elder
abuse by providing an additional \$10 million of the 2007 budget for
education on the topic. In June, Human Resources and Social Development
Canada is hosting an expert roundtable discussion on research issues
related to elder abuse. This discussion will summarize existing
research, identify knowledge gaps and research priorities, and foster
knowledge exchange and collaboration within and across research and
policy communities. Dr. Georgia Anetzberger of the US is among the
invited presenters.

Provincial Networks

The Canadian Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse notes the growing
interest in elder abuse at the local regional, provincial/territorial,
and national levels. People and communities are looking for ways to work
together to address abuse and neglect in later life and the factors that
underlie it. (For more information, visit:
[www.cnpea.ca](http://www.cnpea.ca/).) Other provincial networks are
also continuing to flourish: concerned individuals are hungry for
information, and sharing and borrowing resources has resulted in
creative collaborations.

International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse

Due to its enormous growth, the network, now in its 11th year, is in the
process of looking at its structure in order to develop strategic
planning, and to develop a more inclusive, stronger base of active,
direct participation. Because the network really started out as a "Mom
and Pop" grassroots organization, we need to "rebirth" ourselves by
clarifying our purpose, and recruiting and incorporating new voices in
regional and global initiatives that are truly reflective of our
leadership and potential. These challenges prompted the upcoming
Strategic Planning Meeting on June 15^th^ in Ottawa, Canada, prior to
the World Day conference. For those who cannot attend, we are including
measures to allow interactive participation; we are inviting these
members to answer a survey prior to the meeting, and there will be two
internet/email "blasts" to provide updates on key points of discussion
and to invite questions or comments via email during the meeting. (For
more information on the network, go to:
[www.inpea.net](http://www.inpea.net/).)

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day 2008

The official World Day commemoration is taking place this year in
Ottawa, Canada in an exciting, eclectic, and educational two-day
conference. Speakers are coming from Nigeria, China, Israel, Spain, the
United Kingdom, and Argentina. There is representation from the United
Nations, the World Health Organization, and the Consular Corps. We will
be discussing the role of nongovernmental organizations in advancing the
prevention of and response to elder abuse and we will revisit the United
Nations Madrid Plan of Action of 2002. English-French simultaneous
translation will be available. Many experts from the US are presenting
papers and posters. The government of Canada has been phenomenal in its
support; they really are showing their commitment. Ottawa, Canada is the
place to be on June 16-17! (For more information on the conference,
visit the homepage of the network at:
[www.inpea.net](http://www.inpea.net/) and click on the tab "WEAAD.")

Special thanks to Dr. Elizabeth Podnieks for contributing this
information. Dr. Podnieks is a founding member of the International
Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse (currently vice-president),
and a founder of the annual World Day observance. For over 25 years, Dr.
Podnieks has been on the faculty of Ryerson University in Toronto,
Ontario, and has published extensively, nationally and internationally,
on the topic of elder abuse. Dr. Podnieks was principle investigator of
the Canadian national survey on elder abuse, conducted in 1989, and is
currently involved in the "Worldview on Elder Abuse Environmental Scan."

Highlights from the Latin American Region (2007-2008)

There has been a great deal of international activity in elder abuse
awareness and response across Latin America during the past two years.

In May, 2007, a "train the trainers" course entitled "Prevention,
Detection and Intervention in Situations of Elder Abuse" was presented
at the International Association of Gerontology and Geriatrics Pan
American Congress in Puebla, Mexico.

Over 400 professionals participated in two successful round tables on
elder abuse (one with North American experts coordinated by Dr Lía
Daichman, president of the International Network for the Prevention of
Elder Abuse, and the other with Latin American experts coordinated by
Susana Aguas, Latin America regional representative for the network).

Last November, an International Gerontological Seminar on Latin American
experiences related to elder abuse was organized by the Red del Adulto
Mayor, Arica, and the Latin American branch of the international
network. The seminar focused on education and training of primary health
workers in prevention, identification, and treatment of different types
of abuse and neglect. It also focused on working with elder rights
groups to generate empowerment.

Regional Activities:

In Brazil:

The Second Regional Intergovernmental Conference on Ageing in Latin
America and the Caribbean: Towards a Society for All Ages with Social
Protection Based on Rights, was held in Brasilia, December 4-6, 2007.
Twenty -five countries, intergovernmental, and international
organizations were represented, and their delegations reported on
national advances regarding the implementation of the Regional Strategy
on Ageing. The debates were organized according to five relevant topics
for the process of regional follow up of the International Plan of
Action on Ageing of Madrid. Elder Abuse and Neglect, Discrimination, and
Equal Right were main topics. (The conference culminated in the Brasilia
Declaration, available online at:
<http://www.un.org/esa/socdev/ageing/documents/regional_review/Declaracion_Brasilia.pdf>
.)

In addition, the Special Secretary of Humans Rights has made agreements
with 17 states of Brazil to implement 19 Centers to Prevent Violence
against Older Persons, and with the Latin American Center for Health and
Violence to implement the National Observer of the Older Person on June
18^th^, 2008
([www.observatorionacionalidoso.gov.br](http://www.observatorionacionalidoso.gov.br/))
to coordinate the actions of these centers.

Trainings, research, and public awareness activities have been ongoing
throughout the country, and will occur in conjunction with the World Day
observance. (Special thanks to Laura Marchado, InterAge Consultoria en
Gerontologia, for contributing this update.)

In Argentina:

In 2007, an intense and successful campaign on preventing elder
victimization and financial abuse was launched as a result of
collaboration among the International Longevity Center -- Argentina, the
International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse -- Argentina,
the government of the City of Buenos Aires, the National Direction of
Elders Policies, National Ministry of Social Development, the Ministry
of Security, and the Argentinean Federal Police.

In July 2007, a project involving elders, "Between Peers: Training on
Human Rights and Empowerment," was initiated.

The National Prevention Program on discrimination and elder abuse was
recently launched, and a didactic kit for educators, social
communicators, and health professionals working with elders was
developed.

National surveys on elders' perceptions on discrimination and elder
abuse, and on their perceptions of social representation of old age are
currently in progress.

In Peru:

Creation of new Socio Legal Centres (modeled after those established by
Help Age International) to promote elders' rights and aid in preventing
abuse and neglect will be established through local governments.

The August earthquake highlighted the need to address humanitarian aid
issues affecting older individuals. Many older people are still living
in shelters. The country received assistance from Help Age International
and Help Age Germany.

In Mexico:

A national prevalence survey was conducted in 2006-2007, indicating that
as high as 16 percent of all elders in Mexico may be victims of abuse.

The first longitudinal health study on older Mexican people within the
community is underway, and nine questions were included in the survey to
investigate risk factors associated with abuse.

Mexico is also participating in an ongoing Pan American health study
investigating factors associated with elder abuse.

In Uruguay:

A national prevalence survey on elder abuse was conducted in Montevideo,
the country capital and the city with the highest percentage of elders
of Latin America. This was organized by the Uruguayan Gerontological and
Geriatric Society and the International Network for the Prevention of
Elder Abuse - Uruguay. Abandonment by relatives and neglect were the
most frequently identified types of abuse.

Currently, the Elder Abuse Team is working to create the first Centre of
Assessment to address victims of elder abuse.

Special thanks for Dr. Lia Daichman, President of the International
Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse for contributing this
information. She is the 2004 recipient of the Rosalie S. Wolf Award.
Among other research initiatives, Dr. Daichman served as the principal
investigator for the Argentina study of the international project,
"Missing Voices: Views of Older Persons on Elder Abuse. To review the
Argentine study, go to:
<http://www.who.int/ageing/projects/elder_abuse/alc_ea_arg.pdf>.)

Additional Internet Resources:

"Missing Voices: Views of Older Persons on Elder Abuse"

International report produced by the World Health Organization and the
International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse, online at:
<http://www.who.int/ageing/projects/elder_abuse/missing_voices/en/>.

Elder Abuse: International and Cultural Perspectives - An Update of the
Literature (June 2006)

CANE Annotated Bibliography online at:
<http://www.ncea.aoa.gov/NCEAroot/Main_Site/Library/CANE/CANE_Series/CANE_International060614.aspx>

Elder Abuse: A Global Issue (July 2002)

CANE Annotated Bibliography online at:
<http://www.ncea.aoa.gov/NCEAroot/Main_Site/Library/CANE/CANE_Series/CANE_global.aspx>

Global Action on Ageing

<http://www.globalaging.org/>

HelpAge Interational

<http://www.helpage.org/Home>

Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing, 2002

<http://www.un.org/esa/socdev/ageing/madrid_intlplanaction.html>

AARP Hosts International Online Forum in Honor of World Elder Abuse
Awareness Day

In recognition of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, AARP International is
hosting a two-week online forum with experts and advocates from around
the globe. The presenters will share information and insights regarding
elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation, and their country's response to
these problems. Everyday will feature a different panelist, and visitors
can pose questions via email. Dr. Lia Daichman of Argentina, Bridget
Penhale of the United Kingdom, and Professor Ariela Lowenstein or Israel
are among the guest panelists. The event facilitator is Naomi Karp,
Strategic Policy Advisor - Consumer and State Affairs Team of the AARP
Public Policy Institute.

To access the forum from June 1^st^ through June 16^th^, go to:
<http://www.aarpinternational.org/conference/conference_show.htm?doc_id=671481>
(or click on the link from the homepage at:
[www.aarpinternational.org](http://www.aarpinternational.org/)).

National Elder Abuse Public Service Announcements are Being Distributed

A series of national elder abuse public service announcements featuring
William Mapother are currently ready for broadcasting. The series,
produced by Kimberly Baker, Kentucky policy analyst and elder abuse
specialist, was the result of collaboration between the Kentucky Cabinet
for Health and Family Services and the National Center on Elder Abuse.

The NCEA recently asked the members of the Elderabuse Listserve for
assistance in disseminating the announcements throughout their
respective communities. The support from the network has been
phenomenal, with many elder rights advocates experienced in local public
awareness campaigns volunteering to reach out to regional contacts. Dr.
Jeanette Daly, nurse, professor, and researcher from the Department of
Family Medicine - University of Iowa had several suggestions for how
individuals could assist in the process:

"Academic institutions' faculty members could contact their Health
Science Relations departments to release the public service announcement
and press kit, and let their contact person know they are available and
interested in being interviewed about this topic;

"APS and other aging services representatives could contact local radio
and television stations' media persons, provide them with the public
service announcements and press kit, and let them know that they are
available and interested in being interviewed."

Special thanks to Jeanette, and to all who are collaborating in the
roll-out of this campaign. Anyone interested in participating, please
contact <ncea-info@aoa.hhs.gov>.

To view the announcements, visit the home page of the NCEA website at:
[www.ncea.aoa.gov](http://www.ncea.aoa.gov/).

World Day Activities across the U.S.

The following are among the many events taking place throughout the U.S.
to raise awareness of elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation in
conjunction with World Elder Abuse Awareness Day:

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day Quilt Show and Contest

 June 13^th^, 2008

Sponsored by the Violence in Aging Council of Pitt County.

Greenville, North Carolina

Quilts made by individuals and groups from throughout Eastern North
Carolina will be on display at the Greenville Mall. Members of the
public are invited to vote for their favorite quilt. Information and
representatives from local agencies will be also be on hand to answer
questions and provide information on elder abuse and related issues.

For more information, e-mail: <smunzer@pittfvp.org>.

World Elder Abuse Awareness Week Activities

June 9^th^ through the 13^th,^ 2008

Sponsored by TRIAD

Witchita, Kansas

June 9-13 -- "Seniors Are People Too" Kids Coloring Contest

June 12 - Media Awareness Day and Mayor\'s Proclamation

June 13 - Conference for banking professionals on financial abuse of the
elderly

June 16-19 - Senior Centers distribution of purple ribbons

June 20 - Senior Fair and Balloon launch at Botanica (our city gardens)

In order to raise awareness of elder abuse in the event planners decided
to make this an annual [week]{.underline} of awareness.

For more information, email: <bonnie.lynch@securities.state.ks.us> or
e-mail: <don@mhasck.org>.

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day 2008: Elder Abuse Expo and Reception.

June 13^th^, 2008

Sponsored by Shelter for Abused Women and Children

Elder Abuse Response Program

Senior Annex in the Community Center

3500 Thomasson Drive

Naples, Florida

Among other activities, representatives of the shelter and other aging
services professionals will present information. Members of the
community are asked to wear something purple in commemoration of the
event.

For more information, go to:
[www.naplesshelter.org](http://www.naplesshelter.org/) or email:

<vletchworth@naplesshelter.org>.

Protecting Older Adults in Our Communities: Are We Doing Enough?

June 12^th^, 2008

Sponsored by the Coastal Georgia Regional Development Center Area Agency
on Aging

and Chatham County SALT Council (Seniors and Law Enforcement Together)

Mercer Auditorium at Memorial Hospital

4700 Waters Avenue

Savannah, Georgia

This workshop is intended for Law Enforcement/First Responders, Health
Care Specialists, Adult Protective Services staff, Aging Network
providers, Advocates, and Concerned Citizens.

The event will include guest speakers, open forum discussion, and
exhibitors. Seating is limited and registration is required. For more
information, visit

http://www.coastalgeorgiardc.org/aaa.html or e-mail:
<mmcouch@coastalgeorgiardc.org>

or <dlgray@coastalgeorgiardc.org>.

Elder Abuse and the Family: Not a Private Matter

June 18^th^, 2008

Sponsored by Jewish Association for Services of the Aged, Hebrew Home
for the Aged at Riverdale, New York City Department for the Aging, New
York City Human Resources Administration, Fordham University Graduate
School of Social Service, Institute for Retired Professional at the New
School for Social Research

66 West 12 Street

New York, New York

This conference is for social workers, lawyers, medical and mental
health professionals, law enforcement, and other social service
personnel. Keynote address will be delivered by Dr. Evan Stark, entitled
"Re-framing Abuse of the Elderly as Coercive Control: Moving the
Agenda." Workshops focus on engaging the victim, legal issues involving
elder abuse and the extended family, the role of clergy and elder abuse,
interviewing skills and family systems, money and asset management, the
changing family structure and elder abuse (LGBT, grandparenting, and
immigrant senior populations), and socialization as the antidote to
isolation.

Note: June 11 deadline to guarantee registration. For more information,
e-mail: <oabramova@jasa.org>.

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day Rally

June 13^th^, 2008 11:00 AM

Sponsored by the Tennessee Vulnerable Adult Coalition

Legislative Plaza

Nashville, Tennessee

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day Rally

June 13^th^, 2008, 10:00 AM

Sponsored by the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services

Capitol Rotunda

Frankfort, Kentucky

Advocating for the Rights of Older Adults

June 11^th^, 2008

Father Belle Center

104 Maryland St.

Maryland and Busti Ave.

Buffalo, New York

This bi-lingual event (English and Spanish) will feature keynote
speaker, Art Mason of Lifespan/Rochester and a multidisciplinary panel
discussion.8

For more information, email: mantionj@erie.gov. or visit:
<http://www.erie.gov/depts/seniorservices/pdfs/elder_abuse_flyer.pdf>.

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day Caregiver Seminar

June 16^th^, 2008

Sponsored by the St. Tammany SALT Council

Castine Center

Mandeville, Lousianna

This event provides an opportunity for networking and information
sharing on issues related to elder abuse. For more information and an
abbreviated version of the schedule is online at:
<http://www.stsalt.org/7.html>.

In addition, many state and regional governments have issued
proclamations commemorating World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, including
Delaware, California, and Iowa, and elder rights advocates are scheduled
to speak in media interviews around the country.

To view additional events, or to submit your community's event to the
International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse web listing, go
to:

<http://www.inpea.net/weaad/weaad2008/weaad2008_events.html>.

Federal Initiatives to Address Elder Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation

The U.S. Administration on Aging recently queried members of the federal
Elder Justice Interagency Working Group about what work their agencies
are doing, or have done, in the area of elder justice. The Elder Justice
Interagency Working Group brings together federal officials responsible
for carrying out elder justice activities, including elder abuse
prevention, research, grant and program funding, and prosecution. Since
2001, members have met informally and on a regular basis to discuss
emerging issues, promising practices, and ways to coordinate their
efforts. In recognition of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, we are
sharing a summary of some of the work undertaken by various federal
agencies to address elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation. The list is
not comprehensive, but highlights recent and on-going efforts.

United States Department of Health and Human Services

ADMINISTRATION ON AGING

The Administration on Aging funds a number or initiatives addressing
elder abuse. For more information, visit the Administration's Elder
Rights web page at:
<http://www.aoa.gov/eldfam/Elder_Rights/Elder_Rights.aspx> .

Older Americans Act Formula Grants

The Administration provides federal leadership and administers Older
Americans Act formula grants for state activities designed to strengthen
elder justice strategic planning and direction for programs, activities,
and research related to elder abuse awareness and prevention. These
include efforts to train law enforcement officials, develop and
distribute educational materials, conduct public awareness campaigns,
and create community coalitions.

National Center on Elder Abuse

The Administration on Aging also funds the National Center on Elder
Abuse, online at www.ncea.aoa.gov. The Center operates as a
multidisciplinary consortium of collaborators with expertise in elder
abuse, neglect, and exploitation. The Center disseminates information
related to the prevention of elder abuse and neglect to professionals
and the public, and provides technical assistance and training to states
and community-based organizations. Current initiatives focus on
promoting elder justice, community coalitions, training, and raising
public awareness.

Providing Federal Leadership to the Aging Network

The Administration on Aging continues to provide leadership to the aging
network in activities to prevent and address elder abuse, neglect, and
exploitation. Administration staff are working to develop models for a
system of identification and referral within Aging and Disability
Resource Centers for older adults who may be victims of or at risk for
elder abuse, neglect, or exploitation.

Legal Assistance and Elder Abuse

Legal assistance and elder rights programs under Tile III-B are
instrumental in addressing the harmful consequences of elder abuse
including financial damage caused by exploitation and fraud. With the
rapidly increasing aging population creating unique demands on existing
service delivery systems, the need to have aging services, legal
services, and elder abuse prevention and response networks working
cohesively together to protect the rights of older persons will become
even more critical.

Administration on Aging also funds five organizations functioning as
national legal resource centers which provide case consultation,
training, technical assistance, and other informational resources to
both aging and legal networks. These National Legal Assistance and Elder
Rights Projects grants comprise a comprehensive national legal
assistance support system for aging and legal service providers and
advocates, including those involved in addressing elder abuse.

Long Term Care Ombudsman Program

Long Term Care Ombudsmen are advocates for residents of all long term
care facilities, including nursing homes, board and care homes, assisted
living facilities, and similar adult care facilities. Ombudsmen work to
resolve problems of individual residents, help residents and their
families know and exercise their rights, and bring about changes at the
local, state, and national levels to improve the quality of care and
life for residents of long-term care facilities. Training and technical
assistance are provided to state ombudsmen by the Administration on
Aging-funded National Long-Term Care Ombudsman Resource Center (online
at: http://www.ltcombudsman.org), operated by the National Consumer
Voice for Quality Long-Term Care, and also includes state and local
ombudsman contacts and other resources.

Senior Medicare Patrol Program

The Administration on Aging has partnered with the Center for Medicare
and Medicaid Services (online at: <http://www.cms.hhs.gov/>), the
Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General
(online at: <http://www.oig.hhs.gov/>), and the U.S. Department of
Justice (online at: http://www.usdoj.gov/) in a government-led effort to
fight health care fraud, error, and abuse and financial exploitation
through implementation of a health care integrity program designed to
coordinate federal, state, and local resources to target areas most
plagued by program abuses. The Administration on Aging currently funds
57 Senior Medicaid Patrol projects, including one each in the District
of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands and Guam.

ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR PLANNING AND EVALUATION

The Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation is developing a
report for Congress on the feasibility of establishing a uniform
national database on elder abuse. The Assistant Secretary is working
with federal partners to inform the report, including the Department of
Justice, the Administration on Aging, Center for Disease Control, and
National Institute on Aging. For information, visit:
http://aspe.hhs.gov/\_/index.cfm.

CENTER FOR DISEASE CONTROL

Division of Violence Prevention is sponsoring two major projects focused
on Elder Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation. The first involves the
initial phase of the Elder Maltreatment Surveillance Project. The
purpose of this project is to: identify minimum and expanded data
elements that might be collected as part of elder maltreatment
surveillance activities; and to review options for their measurement.
The second project involves a review of literature to support
development of a social marketing campaign to prevent the occurrence
elder maltreatment in community settings. Its goal is to take
preliminary steps towards developing a national social marketing
campaign to prevent elder maltreatment in community settings, by
reviewing literature and research on perpetration and on the most
frequent perpetrators of elder maltreatment in this setting---adult
children, spouses, and intimate partners. For more information on the
work of the Division of Violence Prevention, visit the Center for
Disease Control website at: http://aspe.hhs.gov/\_/index.cfm.

NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON AGING

The National Institute on Aging through its Elder Mistreatment
Initiative funded nine grants in Fiscal Years 2006 and 2007. The
objective of the projects listed below is to test methodologies to
maximize the estimation of prevalence and/or incidence of elder
mistreatment. Therefore multiple methodologies, scientific approaches,
and definitions of elder mistreatment are represented. For more
information, visit the NIA Division of Behavioral and Social Research
online at:

http://www.nia.nih.gov/ResearchInformation/ExtramuralPrograms/BehavioralAndSocialResearch/

Project Title: Elder Mistreatment

The overall aim of this developmental research project is to demonstrate
in a community setting the feasibility of a method for epidemiological
assessment of elder mistreatment, defined generally as physical, sexual,
and emotional mistreatment of an elderly person who has a diminished
capacity for self care or self protection and by someone currently in a
position of trust.

Project Title: Testing survey methods for collecting data on elder
mistreatment prevalence

The proposed research will test the feasibility, acceptability, cost
implications, reliability, and validity, of survey methodologies for
collecting self-report data from elder mistreatment victims and those
who provide in-home services to elderly clients in Allegheny County
(Pittsburgh), Pennsylvania.

Project Title: Detection of Elder Mistreatment in the Aging Services
Network

The long-term goal of this project is to reduce the prevalence of Elder
Mistreatment and its associated morbidity and mortality by developing
preventive interventions for use by aging services providers. The
premise is that the aging services network is an ideal setting in which
to access older adults who are at risk for, or victims of, elder
mistreatment and to intervene.

Project Title: Primary Care Clinics for Estimating Prevalence and
Incidence of Elder Mistreatment

The goal of this study is to screen 640 older adults who visit their
doctors at five primary care clinics for elder mistreatment. The new
model will incorporate an elder mistreatment assessment instrument
during the patient visit, administered by trained clinician screeners.
When the elder mistreatment screen result is positive, it will be
verified by an expert team. Further, the feasibility and acceptability
of re-screening at six months in a follow-up clinic visit to detect
incidence of elder mistreatment will be explored.

Project Title: Developing Prevalence Measures of Elder Abuse in
Residential Long-Term Care

This research will test methods of generating estimates of the
prevalence of elder mistreatment in long-term care settings (nursing
homes and residential care facilities) that house over two million frail
older persons, many of whom have cognitive impairment.

Project Title: Exploring the Mistreatment of Native Elders

This project proposes to assemble a community and research network to
conduct developmental work on a prevalence/incidence study of the
mistreatment of older American Indian/Alaska Natives. Meetings will be
held to lay the groundwork for a pilot study of the phenomenon in two
communities, one rural and one urban. The experience with the pilot
study will then inform a set of recommendations for maximally
identifying the phenomenology and extent of elder mistreatment among
these populations.

Project Title: Developmental Research on Elder Mistreatment

This project recommends development and testing of a self-report,
survey-based measure that can be broadly applied to generate population
estimates of abuse and move elder mistreatment research forward. The
project aims to: develop conceptual definitions and methods for

operationalizing the definitions for all five categories of elder
mistreatment; design a self-reported, survey-based measure for detecting
presence and severity of all types of elder mistreatment; and determine
whether the survey-based measure validly and reliably predicts elder
mistreatment in samples of Mexican American and Non-Hispanic white
community-dwelling elders, including the cognitively impaired.

Project Title: Evaluation of Data Linkage Methodology to Improve
Estimates of Elder Mistreatment

This project will evaluate the feasibility of applying data linkage
methodology used successfully to improve estimates of intimate partner
violence and child maltreatment to improve estimates of incidence and
prevalence of elder mistreatment.

Project Title: Toward a Better Understanding of Elder Mistreatment in
Community Settings

The purpose of the proposed study is to inform the National Institute on
Aging of the feasibility and issues involved in conducting a national
incidence or prevalence study of elder mistreatment. The study will
focus on community-residing elders to examine approaches to detecting
and measuring mistreatment in five domains: physical assault,
psychological aggression, sexual coercion, caregiver neglect, and
financial exploitation.

OFFICE ON DISABILITY

The Office on Disability, in collaboration with Dr. Dorothy K. Marge as
Principal Investigator, supported a pilot project on violence, abuse,
and neglect against persons with disabilities, including the elderly,
seen in hospital emergency rooms.

After an extensive search of national databases to identify if such
information already exists, it was determined that there is no national
database including evidence-based information on persons with
disabilities and other vulnerable individuals who have been victims of
violence, abuse, and neglect. The National Electronic Injury
Surveillance System of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission was
identified as a well respected, valid, and reliable system with more
than 30 years of experience collecting data about injuries reported in
their hospital emergency departments. Utilizing this data source, the
Office on Disability conducted a six month pilot project, using ten
National Electronic Injury Surveillance System hospital emergency
departments, to determine the feasibility of collecting desired
variables for this target population.

The study, which is now complete, focuses on intentional injuries, and
in particular, assaults. It includes information on more than 40
variables. In addition to the standard demographic information (age,
sex, race, etc.), data on the following was also collected: type and
place of injury; location where the assault occurred; relationship of
the victim to the perpetrator; etc. The Principal Investigator has
worked with the statisticians at National Electronic Injury Surveillance
System to analyze data and is presently in the process of completing the
final report for submission to the Director of the Office on Disability.

As a next step, a one-two year study with the involvement of all 64
National Electronic Injury Surveillance System hospital emergency
departments is planned. This will allow for the development of national
prevalence and incidence rates of abuse and violence against the elderly
and persons with disabilities. For more information, visit the Office on
Disability website online at:
http://www.hhs.gov/od/contact/contactus.html.

United States Department of Justice

CIVIL DIVISION

The Department of Justice's Nursing Home Initiative has focused on
enhancing enforcement, training, coordination, outreach, attention to
medical forensic elder issues, and boosting the use of reliable criminal
background checks for direct care workers. For more information on the
Department's activities, visit the Department of Justice website online
at: http://www.usdoj.gov/.

CIVIL RIGHTS DIVISION

The Special Litigation Section of the Civil Rights Division of the
United States Department of Justice enforces the Civil Rights of
Institutionalized Persons Act, 42 USC 1997. This Act gives the Attorney
General standing to investigate conditions in public residential
facilities where the civil rights of the residents are being abridged.
Part of the Act involves investigating conditions in public nursing
homes, psychiatric facilities, facilities for persons with developmental
disabilities, jails, and prisons. Therefore, these efforts to improve
conditions in facilities affect elders, whenever they are confined in
facilities that violate their civil rights. Many of these cases involve
findings of abuse and neglect, but also find unlawful medical, nursing,
and mental health care. The nursing homes investigations also typically
find inadequate nutrition and hydration, as well as inadequate
activities.

When an investigation identifies unlawful conditions at a facility, a
findings letter is issued detailing the problems, as well as the minimum
remedial measures that a jurisdiction must take to fix the problems.
These letters are posted on the website of the Special Litigation
Section under the subsection entitled "Investigations" (online at:
http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/split/index.html). For more information on the
Civil Rights Division, Special Litigation Section, and CRIPA visit:
<http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/split/cripa.htm>.

NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF JUSTICE

The National Institute of Justice has an active research portfolio of
approximately fifteen projects addressing elder abuse. Research areas
span from elder forensics to development of measures for incidence and
prevalence studies. The following are among the projects funded by the
Institute. (Additional information regarding the research agenda is
available online at:
http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/nij/topics/crime/elder-abuse/welcome.htm.)

Project Title: Testing a Model of Domestic Abuse Against Older Women and
Barriers to Help-Seeking

This research focuses on how older women in the community experience and
internalize domestic abuse, and tests a Barriers to Help-Seeking model
based on results of an earlier study and two existing models:
Theoretical Model of Elder Mistreatment (National Research Council,
2003) and the Grigsby and Hartman Model (1997). Data collected from 450
older women representing race/ethnicities of Hispanic, African American
non-Hispanic, and White non-Hispanic will undergo a series of structural
equation and regression analyses.

Project Title: Elderly Victims of Sexual Abuse and Their Offenders

The study addressed the short-term effects of sexual assault on the
elderly, the motivation of their offenders, and barriers to the
investigation and prosecution of cases. The primary source for this
project was an instrument designed to gather information on sexual
assault victims, modified for elders.

Project Title: Statewide Analysis of Elder Abuse

The goals of the study are: to create a comprehensive profile of
reported domestic violence and family abuse of women over 50 using data
from the State of Rhode Island for the year 2002; to investigate the
impact of the state's response to the initial incident on the likelihood
of reabuse in the subsequent two years.

Project Title: Elder Abuse: How Protective Behaviors and Risk Factors
Affect the Course of Abuse over Time

The Police Foundation and the National Center for Victims of Crime
propose a study that will utilize a prospective longitudinal design to
examine the course of abuse in both a community sample and a sample of
persons who have used elder abuse services in Dane County, Wisconsin.

Project Title: Domestic Violence Against Older Women

The study sought to increase knowledge and understanding regarding
domestic abuse against older women by allowing older women to speak
about how they define domestic abuse and their views about causes,
interventions, and consequences.

OFFICE FOR VICTIMS OF CRIME

The Office for Victims of Crime (online at:
http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/ovc/) provides funding for numerous efforts
addressing elder abuse, including the following:

Curricula on Elder Abuse for a Range of Professionals

For Victim Advocates: With Office for Victims of Crime funding, the
American Bar Association developed a curriculum to train victim
advocates to learn to identify the signs of elder abuse, understand its
impact on victims, respond proactively to situations in which elder
abuse is suspected, and assist elder abuse victims who are involved with
the criminal justice system. This curriculum currently is being
delivered through Office for Victims of Crime's National Victim
Assistance Academy. For more on the Academy, visit:
https://www.ovcttac.gov/.

For Physicians: Through a grant to the Baylor College of Medicine,
Office for Victims of Crime supported the development of a curriculum
for physicians on identifying and responding to elder abuse for
physicians. The curriculum is intended to reach physicians in a range of
fields, such as emergency medicine, geriatrics, family medicine, and
internal medicine, as well as other health care professionals. The
curriculum covers topics such as: the role of the medical provider;
interviewing older victims; screening; normal aging versus physical and
sexual abuse; neglect; financial exploitation; appropriate
interventions; and working with the criminal justice system. For a
summary of the project, visit the Office for Victims of Crime's "Focus
On" web page online at:
http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/ovc/publications/infores/focuson2005/training/welcome.html.

For Community Corrections Professionals: With Office for Victims of
Crime funding, the American Probation and Parole Association developed a
curriculum in distance learning format for probation and parole officers
on indicators of elder abuse. Community corrections officers are ideally
positioned to identify and respond to elder abuse because many
individuals on probation and parole live with their older family
members. The purpose of this training is to increase the awareness of
probation and parole officers of abusive behavior by these individuals
and to teach them the appropriate interventions with victims when elder
abuse is suspected. The training includes information on recognizing
indicators of elder abuse when conducting home visits, communicating
with older people residing with probationers or parolees who are
abusive, and making appropriate referrals for victims. To view the
curriculum, visit:
http://www.appa-net.org/grant%20and%20special%20projects/IEA/participate.htm.

For Law Enforcement: Work has been completed under an Office for Victims
of Crime grant to the Police Executive Research Forum on a comprehensive
curriculum for law enforcement on improving its response to elder abuse.
This curriculum is designed to provide law enforcement personnel with
the knowledge and skills they need to effectively detect and respond to
reports of elder abuse. It provides guidance in building evidence-based
cases, drawing from the collective wisdom of law enforcement and
prosecutors as well as other experts and research findings. The
curriculum will cover topics such as an introduction to elder abuse and
the older population in the United States; challenges to investigating
elder abuse; financial abuse; physical abuse and elder homicide; sexual
assault; domestic violence; neglect; abuse in residential facilities;
and psychological abuse. The curriculum is currently in the Office for
Victims of Crime publication process and should be available online by
the end of 2008.

Training Videos on Elder Abuse

Office for Victims of Crime is funding the National Clearinghouse on
Abuse in Later Life of the Wisconsin Coalition Against Domestic Violence
to produce a series of educational videos about domestic abuse in later
life. The videos are intended for a range of professionals who work with
or who may encounter victims. They will be accompanied by a
comprehensive training guide, providing detailed information about using
the videos to train the respective audiences. Intended audiences include
victim advocates, adult protective services workers, aging network
professionals, criminal justice practitioners, and health care
providers, as well as interdisciplinary audiences. It is anticipated
that the videos will be released in mid-2009.

Office for Victims of Crime is supporting the development of three
additional training and education videos on identifying and responding
to elder abuse for specific target audiences: Community-Corrections
Responses to Elder Abuse, Law Enforcement Responses to Elder Abuse, and
Court-Based Responses to Elder Abuse. These three training and
educational videos will enhance the understanding of elder abuse within
these disciplines, provide information on how to detect elder abuse and
neglect within the context of the roles of the respective professionals,
and offer suggestions on how to respond. It is anticipated that the
videos will be released by mid-2009.

Multidisciplinary Coordinated System Response to Elder Abuse

Under an Office for Victims of Crime grant, the Baylor College of
Medicine expanded, institutionalized, and replicated in two sites an
existing multidisciplinary collaboration in Houston entitled the Texas
Elder Abuse and Mistreatment Institute. This is a partnership involving
adult protective services, the medical community, law enforcement, and
the county attorney, developed to respond to elder abuse and neglect.
Baylor developed a resource manual on the multidisciplinary effort to
guide other communities through the process of developing similar
initiatives. The manual is currently under review with Office for
Victims of Crime.

Elder Abuse Fatality Team Replication Manual

With funding from Office for Victims of Crime, the American Bar
Association (ABA), working in conjunction with the National Association
of Adult Protective Services Administrators, undertook an initiative to
enhance the development of multidisciplinary elder abuse fatality review
teams. These teams work to identify the cause of fatalities in order to
achieve systemic improvement in the handling of future cases of elder
abuse. Such teams have been used in the areas of child abuse and
domestic violence, but are only beginning to develop in connection with
elder abuse. The project supported four demonstration projects around
the country. The ABA developed a replication guide for use by
communities in establishing similar efforts that was released in 2005.
To access the manual, visit the American Bar Association website at:
http://www.abanet.org/aging/publications/docs/fatalitymanual.pdf.

To access publications on elder abuse and fraud/identity theft, visit
the Office for Victims of Crime publications web page at:
http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/ovc/publications/infores/welcome.html.

OFFICE ON VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN

The Office on Violence Against Women provides funding to address elder
abuse through the Enhanced Training and Services to End Violence and
Abuse of Women Later in Life Program (Elder Program). The program
provides funding to criminal justice and other professionals working
with older victims: to enhance their ability to recognize, address,
investigate, and prosecute instances of elder abuse, neglect, and
exploitation; for cross-training; and to develop or enhance community
coordinated responses and services for victims of elder abuse, neglect,
and exploitation, including domestic violence, dating violence, sexual
assault, or stalking of victims who are 50 years of age or older.

The program has funded the development of the following trainings:

For Law Enforcement: Office on Violence Against Women partnered with the
Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, the National Sherriff's
Association, and the National Clearinghouse on Abuse in Later Life to
develop a 4 day Train the Trainer program and a 2 day law enforcement
curriculum on elder abuse for Elder Program grantees. Grantees send
multi-disciplinary training teams to the TOT program to become certified
as trainers for the project. The team then redelivers the 2 day law
enforcement training at the local level.

For Prosecutors: Office on Violence Against Women partnered with the
National College of District Attorneys to develop a workshop on
prosecuting cases of elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation. The
workshop is required for Elder Program grantees and offered to other
prosecutors at no cost.

For Judges: The National Judicial Institute on Domestic Violence, a
joint project of Office on Violence Against Women, the National Council
of Juvenile and Family Court Judges, and the Family Violence Prevention
Fund, offers a comprehensive judicial education program to improve court
response to victims of abuse in later life.

Additional training and cross-training materials, systems tools, and a
needs assessment tool are currently under development. For additional
information about the program, visit
<http://www.ovw.usdoj.gov/ElderAbuse2002programbrief.htm>.

In partnership with Office on Violence Against Women, the Federal Law
Enforcement Training Center is also conducting training for non-Office
on Violence Against Women grantees. The primary focus of this program is
to develop instructors who will be required to redeliver training to law
enforcement in their respective jurisdictions.

Participants attending this program will learn new and creative ways to
present various elder abuse related topics such as Dynamics of Elder
Abuse, Financial Exploitation, and Elder Sexual Assault. The teams
attending this course represent law enforcement, prosecution, victim
advocacy, probation, courts personnel and other professionals tasked
with training agencies in elder abuse prevention. The Federal Law
Enforcement Training Center will provide the students with all necessary
training aids to set up in-service training and regional training in
elder abuse. Tuition is free. Contact: Scott Santoro at 912-267-2322 or
<scott.santoro@dhs.gov>.

New Online Resource: Mandatory Reporting to Adult Protective Services
Charts

The American Bar Association Commission on Law and Aging recently posted
adult protective services reporting charts on its website. The charts
were prepared by the Commission for the National Center on Elder Abuse.

The resource is valuable to advocates and professionals across
disciplines attempting to identify individual state reporting
requirements, or seeking comparative state-to-state information. There
are three documents in all, including an explanation of two mandatory
reporting documents: "Reporting Requirements: Provisions and Citations
in Adult Protective Services Laws, by State" (or the "provisions
chart"); and "Mandatory Reporters: Comparison Charts of Categories in
Adult Protective Services Laws, by State" (referred to as the
"categories charts").

The charts are accessible from either the NCEA web site at:
<http://www.ncea.aoa.gov/NCEAroot/Main_Site/Find_Help/APS/Analysis_State_Laws.aspx>
or directly from the Commission's elder abuse web page at:
<http://www.abanet.org/aging/about/elderabuse.shtml>. They can also be
accessed from the Commission's web page at:
[www.abanet.org/aging](http://www.abanet.org/aging) by clicking on the
"Elder Abuse" tab on the left margin.

Federal Legislative Update: A Monthly Look at Federal Legislation and
Activity that May Impact the Lives of Older Americans

The Elder Abuse Victims Act of 2008 (House Resolution 5352), introduced
in February to "protect seniors in the United States from elder abuse by
establishing specialized elder abuse prosecution and research programs
and activities to aid victims of elder abuse, to provide training to
prosecutors and other law enforcement related to elder abuse prevention
and protection," gained additional support in May from Representatives
Rahm Emanuel (Democrat, Illinois - 5) and Peter King (Republican, New
York - 3), bringing the total number of cosponsors to 4 in the House.

<http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=110_cong_bills&docid=f:h5352ih.txt.pdf>

The Elder Justice Act (Senate Bill 1070 / House Resolution 1783) gained
the support of Senators Patty Murray (Democrat - Washington) and Maria
Cantwell (Democrat - Washington) and Representatives Joseph Crowley
(Democrat, New York - 7), Rosa DeLauro (Democrat, Connecticut - 3), Ron
Kind (Democrat, Wisconsin - 3), Jerrold Nadler (Democrat, New York - 8),
Gus Bilirakis (Republican, Florida - 9), Christopher Carney (Democrat,
Pennsylvania - 10) and Brad Miller (Democrat, North Carolina - 13) this
month, bringing the total to 28 co-sponsors in the Senate and 115
co-sponsors in the House of Representatives.

<http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=110_cong_bills&docid=f:s1070is.txt.pdf>

<http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=110_cong_bills&docid=f:h1783ih.txt.pdf>

The Elder Serve Act of 2008 (House Resolution 6141) was introduced in
the House of Representatives by John A. Yarmuth (Democrat, Kentucky - 3)
on May 22, 2008. The bill, which seeks to "establish pilot programs that
provide for emergency crisis response teams to combat elder abuse," has
been referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

<http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/t2GPO/http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=110_cong_bills&docid=f:h6141ih.txt.pdf>

The Stop Senior Suicide Act (Senate Bill 1854 / House Resolution 4897),
which seeks to "amend the Social Security Act and the Public Health
Service Act to improve elderly suicide early intervention and prevention
strategies," gained the support of Representative Brad Ellsworth
(Indiana - 8) in May, bringing the total number of co-sponsors to 17 in
the House of Representatives and 4 in the Senate.

<http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=110_cong_bills&docid=f:s1854is.txt.pdf>

<http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=110_cong_bills&docid=f:h4897ih.txt.pdf>

The Caring for an Aging America Act of 2008 (Senate Bill 2708),
introduced in March 2008 to "amend the Public Health Service Act to
attract and retain trained health care professionals and direct care
workers dedicated to providing quality care to the growing population of
older Americans," gained additional support this month from Senators
Herb Kohl (Democrat - Wisconsin) and Robert Menendez (Democrat -- New
Jersey). This brings the total number of co-sponsors to 3. The bill has
been referred to the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and
Pensions.

<http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=110_cong_bills&docid=f:s2708is.txt.pdf>

The Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly Act of 2008 (Senate
Bill 2736 / House Resolution 2930), which seeks to "amend section 202 of
the Housing Act of 1959 to improve the program under such section for
supportive housing for the elderly," gained the support of Senator
Bernard Sanders (Independent - Vermont), bringing the total number of
co-sponsors to 6 in the Senate and 15 in the House.

<http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=110_cong_bills&docid=f:s2736is.txt.pdf>

<http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=110_cong_bills&docid=f:h2930rfs.txt.pdf>

The Geriatric Assessment and Chronic Care Coordination Act of 2007
(Senate Bill 1340 / House Resolution2244) received additional support in
May from Representatives Thaddeus McCotter (Republican, Michigan - 11),
Michael Honda (Democrat, California - 15), William Jefferson (Democrat,
Louisiana - 2), Chris Van Hollen (Democrat, Maryland - 8), John Boozman
(Republican, Arkansas - 3), Tammy Baldwin (Democrat, Wisconsin - 2) and
Rick Boucher (Democrat, Virginia - 9), bringing the total number of
co-sponsors to 18 in the House and 14 in the Senate. The bill seeks to
"amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide Medicare
beneficiaries with access to geriatric assessments and chronic care
coordination services."

<http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=110_cong_bills&docid=f:s1340is.txt.pdf>

<http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=110_cong_bills&docid=f:h2244ih.txt.pdf>

The Community Choice Act (Senate Bill 799 / House Resolution 1621) seeks
to "amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to provide individuals
with disabilities and older Americans with equal access to
community-based attendant services and supports, and for other
purposes." The bill has gained additional support from Senator Pat
Roberts (Republican - Kansas) and Representatives Betty McCollum
(Democrat, Minnesota - 4), Thomas Allen (Democrat, Maine - 1), Gregory
Meeks (Democrat, New York - 6), Christopher Carney (Democrat,
Pennsylvania - 10), John Porter (Republican, Nevada - 3), John Olver
(Democrat, Massachusetts - 1), Andre Carson (Democrat, Indiana - 7),
Yvette Clarke (Democrat, New York - 11), Joe Sestak (Democrat,
Pennsylvania - 7), Todd Tiahrt (Republican, Kansas - 4), Nydia Velazquez
(Democrat, New York - 12), Thaddeus McCotter (Republican, Michigan -
11), Vito Fossella (Republican, New York - 13), Eliot Engel (Democrat,
New York - 17), Barbara Lee (Democrat, California - 9), John Salazar
(Democrat, Colorado - 3), Jose Serrano (Democrat, New York - 16) and
John McHugh (Republican, New York - 23), bringing the total number of
co-sponsors to 21 in the Senate and 107 in the House of Representatives.

<http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=110_cong_bills&docid=f:s799is.txt.pdf>

<http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=110_cong_bills&docid=f:h1621ih.txt.pdf>

The Alzheimer\'s Treatment and Caregiver Support Act (House Resolution
1032) gained additional support in late April and May from
Representatives Danny Davis (Democrat, Illinois - 7), Andre Carson
(Democrat, Indiana - 7), Luis Gutierrez (Democrat, Illinois - 4),
Carolyn Maloney (Democrat, New York - 14), John Spratt, Junior
(Democrat, South Carolina - 5), John Conyers, Junior (Democrat,
Michigan - 14), Brad Miller (Democrat, North Carolina - 13), Madeleine
Bordallo (Democrat, Guam), Mazie Hirono (Democrat, Hawaii - 2), Jerrold
Nadler (Democrat, New York - 8), Edolphus Towns (Democrat, New York -
10), Jesse Jackson, Junior (Democrat, Illinois - 2), Henry Johnson,
Junior (Democrat, Georgia - 4), Robert Andrews (Democrat, New Jersey -
1), Kathy Castor (Democrat, Florida - 11), Jason Altmire (Democrat,
Pennsylvania - 4), Bill Foster (Democrat, Illinois - 14), Christopher
Carney (Democrat, Pennsylvania - 10), Lois Capps (Democrat, California -
23), Joe Sestak (Democrat, Pennsylvania - 7), Bart Gordon (Democrat,
Tennessee - 6), Leonard Boswell (Democrat, Iowa - 3), Jose Serrano
(Democrat, New York - 16), Alcee Hastings (Democrat, Florida - 23), Neil
Abercrombie (Democrat, Hawaii - 1), Ellen Tauscher (Democrat,
California - 10), Grace Napolitano (Democrat, California - 38), Mark
Udall (Democrat, Colorado - 2), Solomon Ortiz (Democrat, Texas - 27),
Chris Van Hollen (Democrat, Maryland - 8) and Carolyn McCarthy
(Democrat, New York - 4), bringing the total number of co-sponsors to
108 in the House. The bill, which has been referred to the House
Subcommittee on Health, seeks to "amend the Public Health Service Act to
authorize grants for treatment and support services for Alzheimer\'s
patients and their families."

<http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=110_cong_bills&docid=f:h1032ih.txt.pdf>

The Alzheimer\'s Breakthrough Act of 2007 (Senate Bill 898 / House
Resolution 1560), which seeks "to amend the Public Health Service Act to
fund breakthroughs in Alzheimer\'s disease research while providing more
help to caregivers and increasing public education about prevention,"
gained additional support in May from Representatives John Yarmuth
(Democrat, Kentucky - 3) and Andre Carson (Democrat, Indiana - 7),
bringing the total number of co-sponsors to 60 in the House and 29 in
the Senate.

<http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=110_cong_bills&docid=f:s898rs.txt.pdf>

<http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=110_cong_bills&docid=f:h1560ih.txt.pdf>

Elder Abuse Research

The Clearinghouse on Abuse and Neglect of the Elderly maintains an
annotated catalog of peer-reviewed literature on elder mistreatment and
related issues. The following are highlights of recently identified
publications. To search for additional references, visit
<http://www.cane.udel.edu/> . Special thanks to Liz Kowalczyk for
compiling this update.

Judicial Council of California, Administrative Office of the Courts

Effective Court Practice for Abused Elders: A Report to the Archstone
Foundation

February 2008

This report presents the results of a two year California-based study
funded by the Archstone Foundation's Elder Abuse and Neglect Initiative,
which sought to identify innovative court practices for dealing with
elder abuse cases. Courts from four counties -- Alameda, Orange, San
Francisco, and Ventura -- were chosen as the subjects of the study,
which involved semi-structured interviews with court employees, site
visits and reviews of court files. A "menu" of promising practices is
presented which includes the following suggestions: development of a
specialized court to handle cases of elder abuse; specialized
calendaring, or the practice of consolidating all elder abuse cases to a
particular time and place; special provisions for court orders in elder
abuse cases; special accommodations for elderly court users; specialized
training for judges and court staff; development of volunteer programs;
and cultivation of community partnerships. The list of suggestions is
not intended to be adopted comprehensively by every court but rather to
provide a range of options for courts to choose from depending on their
specific needs. (Note: This report is accessible online at:
<http://www.courtinfo.ca.gov/programs/cfcc/>.)

Chan, Y., Chun, P. & Chung, K.

Public Perception and Reporting of Different Kinds of Family Abuse in
Hong Kong

Journal of Family Violence; Volume 23, 253-263; 2008.

Journal article (research)

This Hong-Kong based study sought a better understanding of the
relationship between perceptions of family abuse, including abuse of the
elderly, and reporting behaviors. The study sought to determine whether
perceptions of abuse differ according to *who* is abused and the form
that the abuse takes. In addition, the role that perceptions of abuse
play in shaping reporting behavior was assessed. Over 800 individuals
participated in the study, which was conducted via telephone interview.
Participants were randomly selected to answer one of three identical
sets of questions regarding different hypothetical victims of family
abuse. Respondents were found to be most inclined to recognize abuse of
the elderly over spousal abuse or child abuse, respectively. Physical
and sexual maltreatment were the most commonly recognized forms of abuse
among participants. In addition, respondents also reported that they
were most likely to report abuse of an elderly family member over abuse
of any other family member.

Gallagher, P., Barry, P. Ryan, C., Hartigan, I. & O'Mahony, D.

Inappropriate Prescribing in an Acutely Ill Population of Elderly
Patients as Determined by Beers' Criteria

Age and Ageing; Volume 37, 96-101; 2008.

Journal article (research)

Inappropriate prescribing of medication for elderly adults increases the
risk for adverse drug events, including mortality. Utilizing Beers'
Criteria, which lists medications that should be avoided for elderly
individuals, this study sought to estimate the prevalence of
inappropriate prescribing among elderly adults, aged 65 and older,
admitted to a general hospital. In addition, the study sought to
determine whether polypharmacy (taking multiple prescriptions), age, or
gender are independent risk factors for inappropriate prescribing. Data
was collected from approximately 600 cases, for which over 3,000
medications were prescribed. Approximately one-third of all patients in
the cohort were identified as being subjected to inappropriate
subscribing. The study found that while taking 5 or more prescription
drugs at a given time was associated with risk for inappropriate
subscribing.

Funding Opportunities

The following funding opportunities are now available:

Helping Outreach Programs to Expand Grants

Application deadline: Open, dependent upon available funding.

Helping Outreach Programs to Expand awards grants to improve outreach
to, and services for, crime victims. Grassroots, nonprofit,
community-based, and faith-based victim services organizations are among
those eligible to apply.

For more information, visit:
<http://www.ovc.gov/fund/expandingoutreach/welcome.html>.

Byrne Competitive Solicitation Announced

Application deadline: June 11, 2008

Bureau of Justice Assistance is seeking applicants for the Fiscal Year
2008 Edward Byrne Memorial Competitive Grant Program: National
Initiatives. Applicants are solicited under five categories: preventing
crime and drug abuse, enhancing local law enforcement, enhancing local
courts, enhancing local corrections and offender reentry, and
facilitating justice information sharing.

For more information, visit:
<http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/BJA/grant/byrne.html>.

Electronic and Cyber Crime Training and Technical Assistance Program

Application deadline: June 23, 2008

This Bureau of Justice Assistance Program "...serves communities by
providing training, technical assistance, and related support that
leverages cooperative efforts between electronic and cyber crime
training and technical assistance service providers..." For more
information, visit:
<http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/BJA/grant/08CyberCrimeSol.pdf>.

Calendar of Events

June 15, 2008

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day

A Global Commemoration

Details on additional US and International Conferences and Events are
included inside this issue of the NCEA E-NEWS.

June 16- 17, 2008

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day 2008:

Building Knowledge and Networks to Address Elder Abuse: Pathways to
Human Rights

Government Conference Centre

Ottawa, Ontario

For more information, visit the International Committee for the
Prevention of Elder Abuse at
[http://www.inpea.net](http://www.inpea.net/).

July 20 - 23, 2008

National Association of Area Agencies on Aging 33rd Annual Conference &
Tradeshow

Renaissance Nashville Hotel and the Nashville Convention Center
Nashville, TN

Website: <http://www.n4a.org/2008conf/nashville2008.cfm>

Telephone: 202-872-0888

August 26 - 29, 2008

The 19th Annual National Adult Protective Services Association
Conference

Adult Protective Services: Advocating, Protecting and Serving Vulnerable
Adults

Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers

Chicago, IL

Website: <http://www.apsnetwork.org/Training/conference.htm>

Telephone: 720-565-0906

September 10 -- 11, 2008

5^th^ Annual Making the Case for Justice Conference: Investigation and
Prevention of Crimes Against Elder and Vulnerable Adults

Meydenbauer Center

Bellevue, WA

Email: <cyndee.cavanah@kingcounty.gov>

Telephone: 206-296-8797

December 3 -- 6, 2008

8^th^ Annual National Aging and Law Conference

Double Tree Hotel

Arlington, VA

Website:
http://aarpnltp.grovesite.com/page.asp?o=aarpnltp&s=NLTP&p=257256

Email: mgouge@aarp.org

Phone: 202-434-2197

Credits and Contact Information

National Center on Elder Abuse E-News

To subscribe, go to:
[http://www.ncea.aoa.gov/NCEAroot/Main_Site/Resources/Newsletter/Newsletter_Subscribe.aspx](../%20http://www.ncea.aoa.gov/NCEAroot/Main_Site/Resources/Newsletter/Newsletter_Subscribe.aspx)

To learn more or to contact us, you may visit our website, write, email,
or call:

National Center on Elder Abuse/University of Delaware

Center for Community Research and Service at the University of Delaware

297 Graham Hall

Newark, Delaware 19716

Website: www.ncea.aoa.gov

Email: ncea-info@aoa.hhs.gov

Telephone: 302-831-3525

National Center on Elder Abuse Grantees:

1\. Clearinghouse on Abuse and Neglect of the Elderly (website:
[www.cane.udel.edu](http://www.cane.udel.edu/) )

2\. National Adult Protective Services Association (website:
[www.apsnetwork.org](http://www.apsnetwork.org/) )

3\. National Committee for the Prevention of Elder Abuse (website:
[www.preventelderabuse.org](http://www.preventelderabuse.org/))

Federal Disclaimer:

The National Center on Elder Abuse E-News is published monthly by the
Clearinghouse on Abuse and Neglect of the Elderly (CANE) of the
University of Delaware, and edited by Sharon Merriman-Nai. The National
Center on Elder Abuse newsletter is supported in part by a grant (Number
90AM3146) from the Administration on Aging, U.S. Department of Health
and Human Services. Grantees undertaking projects under government
sponsorship are encouraged to express freely their findings and
conclusions. Therefore, points of view or opinions do not necessarily
represent official Administration on Aging policy.