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7th Annual World Elder Abuse Awareness Day

Elder abuse, like domestic violence and child abuse, comes in many forms. It is recognized by experts as a public health crisis for which there are no socio-economic borders. Millions of older Americans are abused, neglected, or exploited each year, with an estimated 84% of cases going unreported. However, June provides a great opportunity to shed light on the problem of elder abuse and generate support for your programs and services. June 15th has been designated as World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, with 2012 marking the 7th anniversary of World Day.

Symposium on Elder Abuse on June 14th

This year the White House Office of Public Engagement, in collaboration with federal partners from the Administration for Community Living/Department of Health and Human Services, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, and the Department of Justice, is hosting a day-long symposium in recognition of the 7th annual World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. The event is being held the White House on June 14, 2012 to highlight the problem of elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation. This historic event will bring together public and private partners with key roles in addressing financial exploitation from across the nation, including the unique role that financial exploitation plays in the wider problem of elder abuse.

This White House event provides a wonderful opportunity for your organization to host your own World Day event. The day will be divided into four sessions to be webcast live on the White House website (http://www.whitehouse.gov/live), and will include social media-based interactive question and answer sessions on Twitter and Facebook. The day will feature speakers from the federal government, national banking institutions, and leading elder abuse experts from around the country. As part of your World Day commemoration, please consider hosting a “Watch Party” to broadcast any of the four sessions:

  • 9a.m. - 9:45a.m. Opening Session;
  • 9:45a.m. – 11:30a.m. Panel on Prevention of Financial Exploitation;
  • 1:30p.m. –3:15p.m. Panel on Responses to Financial Exploitation;
  • 3:30p.m. – 4:00p.m. Closing Session.
NCEA Toolkit and WEAAD Form

Looking for other ways to commemorate World Elder Abuse Awareness Day this year and take a stand against elder abuse? To support the ongoing work that you’re doing to protect the rights of older people, the National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA) has made available a virtual ‘toolkit’ that includes creative ways your state and local communities can get involved in raising awareness of this issue, as well as support materials such as factsheets that can be handed out during your World Day activity. These materials are available at: http://ncea.aoa.gov/ncearoot/Main_Site/About/Initiatives/Take_A_Stand.aspx.

And don’t forget to let the NCEA know what you’re planning this year to commemorate World Elder Abuse Awareness Day! You can report your event, as well as see what others are planning, here: http://ncea.aoa.gov/NCEAroot/Main_Site/About/Initiatives/WEAADform.aspx .

On World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, individuals and organizations from across the world are urged to raise awareness of the various types of abuse to which older individuals are subjected. We hope that you will join us in making this year’s recognition of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day a rounding success in the United States. This year, take a stand in the fight against elder abuse and take a stand for dignity and respect of our elders.



Last Modified: 5/15/2012 2:11:58 PM