Annual Elder Abuse Awareness Day is June 15

June 15 is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. This is an annual international UN observance day on the same date each year. The day came about as a result of UN resolution 66/127.

With a growing global population of elderly people, and as longevity increases, abuse of the elderly is an increasing and serious problem that affects health and human rights and can cause death, so it is vital to raise awareness of it and thus prevent it whenever and wherever possible.

Elder abuse is global and comes in many forms including physical, emotional, sexual and financial abuse and also neglect. Elderly people are human and deserve the same dignity and respect as people of all other age groups.

Elderly people are particularly vulnerable to abuse and to being unable to defend themselves and get help as fear and infirmity can be major barriers to seeking and getting help, and sometimes spotting and challenging abuse in the elderly isn’t easy, some are isolated having outlived family and friends, and some are abused in institutions where abuse is not spotted or is covered up, and in some cases the elderly are not given priority by authorities in abuse matters.

The UN aims to raise awareness of elder abuse and prevent it, and on World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, communities and the press and media can run events and highlight the danger of elder abuse and what can be done to prevent it and what to do if it is spotted.

The Prince William County Department of Social Services’ Protective Services Division’s Adult Protective Services Unit will response to suspicions of abuse and/or neglect of incapacitated adults, aged 18-59, and adults 60 and older.

Call 703-792-4200 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Call 800-552-7096 after hours to report suspected abuse or neglect.