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The Attorney General’s Senior Protection Initiative is partnering with the Delaware Aging Network to host simultaneous events designed to bring greater recognition of mistreatment of older adults and to highlight the need for appropriate action in all three counties June 15.
The statewide effort is being held in recognition of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, Delaware Department of Justice spokesman Jason P. Miller said.
The Delaware events will feature a screening of the documentary An Age for Justice: Elder Abuse in America, appearances of local legislators, the attorney general and others from the Delaware Department of Justice, Secretary of Health and Social Services Rita Landgraf, representatives of Adult Protective Services, and representatives of various law enforcement agencies, Miller said.
The events will also showcase balloon releases at noon in all three counties, he said. The purple balloons, which signify the recognition of this worldwide problem, have been donated by AARP of Delaware.
“The biggest hurdle we face in combating elder abuse is the fact that these crimes often go unrecognized and unreported,” said Attorney General Beau Biden. “We’re also faced with the tragic reality that victims may feel too ashamed or intimidated to report their abuse to authorities, and that the crimes are often committed by family members and others who are entrusted with their care.
"That’s why World Elder Abuse Awareness Day is so crucially important," he said. "We must continue to shed light on this dark problem and protect those who need our help the most."
Each event will begin promptly at 11 a.m. at on June 15 at:
New Castle County
Newark Senior Center
200 White Chapel Drive, Newark
Kent County
Modern Maturity Center
1121 Forrest Avenue, Dover
Sussex County
CHEER Community Center
20520 Sand Hill Road, Georgetown
The public is invited to attend and reminded to wear purple. Along with the balloon release in all three counties, the cupola at Legislative Hall in Dover will be lit purple on the evening of June 15th to show support for WEAAD.
In addition to announcing the WEAAD events, Biden also highlighted important legislative advances authored by his office that have increased legal protections for Delaware seniors. House Bill 63, signed into law on May 19th, protects Delawareans in treatment facilities and group homes – including nursing homes and assisted living facilities – from sexual assault by making it clear that vulnerable adults cannot consent to sexual crimes being committed against them.
Last year, a law creating the offense Crimes Against the Vulnerable or Infirm was passed that enhanced penalties for over 60 crimes if the victim is vulnerable or infirm.
To learn more about elder abuse awareness prevention efforts going on in Delaware, please visit the Senior Protection Initiative’s webpage at www.delaware.gov/ConnectingGenerations.
The Attorney General’s Senior Protection Initiative is partnering with the Delaware Aging Network to host simultaneous events designed to bring greater recognition of mistreatment of older adults and to highlight the need for appropriate action in all three counties June 15.
The statewide effort is being held in recognition of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, Delaware Department of Justice spokesman Jason P. Miller said.
The Delaware events will feature a screening of the documentary An Age for Justice: Elder Abuse in America, appearances of local legislators, the attorney general and others from the Delaware Department of Justice, Secretary of Health and Social Services Rita Landgraf, representatives of Adult Protective Services, and representatives of various law enforcement agencies, Miller said.
The events will also showcase balloon releases at noon in all three counties, he said. The purple balloons, which signify the recognition of this worldwide problem, have been donated by AARP of Delaware.
“The biggest hurdle we face in combating elder abuse is the fact that these crimes often go unrecognized and unreported,” said Attorney General Beau Biden. “We’re also faced with the tragic reality that victims may feel too ashamed or intimidated to report their abuse to authorities, and that the crimes are often committed by family members and others who are entrusted with their care.
"That’s why World Elder Abuse Awareness Day is so crucially important," he said. "We must continue to shed light on this dark problem and protect those who need our help the most."
Each event will begin promptly at 11 a.m. at on June 15 at:
New Castle County
Newark Senior Center
200 White Chapel Drive, Newark
Kent County
Modern Maturity Center
1121 Forrest Avenue, Dover
Sussex County
CHEER Community Center
20520 Sand Hill Road, Georgetown
The public is invited to attend and reminded to wear purple. Along with the balloon release in all three counties, the cupola at Legislative Hall in Dover will be lit purple on the evening of June 15th to show support for WEAAD.
In addition to announcing the WEAAD events, Biden also highlighted important legislative advances authored by his office that have increased legal protections for Delaware seniors. House Bill 63, signed into law on May 19th, protects Delawareans in treatment facilities and group homes – including nursing homes and assisted living facilities – from sexual assault by making it clear that vulnerable adults cannot consent to sexual crimes being committed against them.
Last year, a law creating the offense Crimes Against the Vulnerable or Infirm was passed that enhanced penalties for over 60 crimes if the victim is vulnerable or infirm.
To learn more about elder abuse awareness prevention efforts going on in Delaware, please visit the Senior Protection Initiative’s webpage at www.delaware.gov/ConnectingGenerations.
