Friday, May 16, 2014

Awareness Campaign - No Excuse for Domestic Abuse

DATE: Friday, May 16, 2014

STATE OF MAINE
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY
MAINE STATE POLICE


PRESS RELEASE


PREPARED BY: Lt. Aaron Hayden
CONTACT #: 207-624-8923


INCIDENT DETAILS


DATE/TIME: 5-15 thru 6-15 2014
LOCATION: Statewide
NATURE: Awareness Campaign - Elder Abuse


SUMMARY OF INCIDENT:


In recognition of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, Maine State Police will display “No Excuse for Elder Abuse” bumper magnets on troopers’ cruisers until World Elder Abuse Awareness Day on June15th.


Over 33,000 older Mainers are abused each year.[1] Elder abuse can include financial exploitation, physical and sexual abuse, emotional abuse, neglect, and abandonment. Where one form of abuse is present, other types of abuse are often being perpetrated. Recently, work in Maine has resulted in a more multidisciplinary approach to addressing elder abuse, where law enforcement is taking a lead role in helping prevent and respond to the issue.


“Elder abuse cases are very complex and in order to properly address them, it’s important for a team of people to be at the table,” says Maine State Police Sergeant Patrick Hood. “We know that we need to work with advocates, health care representatives, financial institutions, legal aid services, and others to effectively respond to this issue.”


Part of addressing elder abuse is raising awareness about the fact that it’s happening to older adults in communities across Maine. Often when people become more aware of the issue, they may start to notice signs of elder abuse in neighbors and other community members. Sergeant Hood says that checking in on a neighbor or speaking up when you notice something amiss could change someone’s life.


“We’ve had cases where people don’t want to be in someone else’s business, so they just don’t say anything,” Hood said. “However, that is often how elder abuse cases come to light. A report to law enforcement can be confidential, so if you see something, say something.”


World Elder Abuse Awareness Day officially takes place on Sunday, June 15. To learn more about how to prevent and respond to elder abuse in Maine, visit www.elderabuseprevention.info.