Elder Abuse-Main, Official Web Site for The City and County of Honolulu

Goals:

Insure that crimes against persons over the age of 60 are properly and effectively reported, investigated and prosecuted.

Enhance communication and cooperation between law enforcement, agencies providing services to persons over the age of 60, and the Office of the Prosecuting Attorney.

Increase awareness of crimes against persons age 60 and over.

Prosecution: The Office of the Prosecuting Attorney is committed to fighting elder abuse and improving the quality of life for all seniors. To accomplish this goal, the Elder Abuse Unit was created. The staff on this team is specially trained in prosecuting crimes against the elderly. This specialized unit vertically prosecutes elder abuse cases, which means that one attorney handles the case from beginning to end. Additionally, the Elder Abuse Unit works closely with victim advocates who are trained to work with the victims of these crimes.

Services provided by the victim counselors include:

Crisis Counseling

Orientation of the Criminal Justice System

Assistance with filing additional criminal case

Case Status Information

Court Accompaniment

Social Services Referrals

Application for Crime Victim Compensation

What is Elder Abuse?

Elder Abuse is most often defined as an action by a person usually in a position of trust which causes harm to an elderly person. This may include harmful actions committed by strangers, if a victim is targeted because of the elder's age.

Elder abuse crosses all social, economic and ethnic lines. Any elderly person can become a victim.

Some Reasons Why The Elderly are Preyed Upon

They are a higher rate of homeowners

Own older homes which may need repairs that they themselves cannot do

Often live alone or with other elders

They have predictable habits

They have more access to greater assets

Where does Elder Abuse Occur?

      � Private homes

      � Community Residences

      �   Long Term Care Facilities

      �   State Facilities

      �   Work and Day Programs

      �   Transportation Vehicles

      �   Anywhere

Elder Abuse is a grossly under reported crime. More than 2 million elderly Americans are victims of neglect or mistreatment every year. According to the National Elder Abuse Incident Study, only 15% of all elder abuse is reported. That is less than 2 cases out of 10 are ever brought to the attention of someone who can help the victim of elder abuse.

What are some of the reasons why Elder Abuse goes unreported?

The victim fears retaliation to either themselves, their property or pets
The elder may be financially dependant on the person abusing them
The elder may not want to leave their home and fear reporting the abuse would result in placement of a care facility
The victim may have a disability or medical condition that prevents them from reporting this crime
The elder may be physically isolated or fear that if the person abusing them is arrested, they will be all alone
The victim may not be a citizen and is afraid they may be deported if the crime is reported
The victim is from another country and does not speak the language
The elder may be homosexual and is afraid of having that revealed if they are in a relationship with their abuser
The victim may have had previous negative experiences with law enforcement and is distrustful of the police
Cultural values and traditions of the victim may have the abuse seem "normal" or "allowable"
Religious beliefs and customs of the elder may forbid the reporting of this crime
The criminal justice system may be perceived as too confusing or non-caring to victims of elder abuse
The elder may feel they are betraying the family if they are being abused by the family member and report the crime

Members of the Elder Abuse Unit are available to make presentations about this important subject. Only through community awareness and a better understanding of this crime, will the seniors of Hawaii received the protection and dignity they deserve.