WORLD ELDER ABUSE AWARENESS DAY (WEAAD) WEAR PURPLE AND STAND IN SOLIDARITY WITH ELDER ABUSE VICTIMS IN NYC AND ACROSS THE NATION AND WORLD

Older adults, City Councilmembers, and community-based organizations will stand in solidarity with elder abuse victims across NYC, the nation and the globe to commemorate World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEADD).  This is the 4th annual Council of Senior Centers and Services City Hall WEAAD. WEAAD started in 2006, in support of the United Nations International Plan of Action which recognizes the significance of elder abuse as a public health and human rights issue. CSCS is advocating for $4 million building a robust, community-based elder abuse victims network throughout NYC.

According to the 2011 NYS Study, “Under the Radar: NYS Elder Abuse Prevalence Study” (www.cscs-ny.org)

ü  9% or 120,000 older New York City residents are suffering from physical, psychological, sexual or financial elder abuse that goes unreported.

ü  Only 1 out of 24 cases are reported to law enforcement, APS, medical or social services.

ü  The majority of abusers are family members – spouses, adult children, grandchildren, and other family members

"That so many of our elderly citizens are victims of abusive treatment is tragic; that it so often goes unaddressed is an outrage," said Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito. “Raising awareness and standing in solidarity with victims of elder abuse is the first step in putting an end to this epidemic. I thank the Council of Senior Centers and Services for their continued dedication to this serious issue."

“It is truly a great injustice that so many victims of elder abuse are forced to face that torment and indignity in silence,” said Council Member Margaret Chin, chair of the Council’s Committee on Aging. “That is why we’re standing together to declare, loudly and clearly, that every single senior has an important place and a powerful voice in our society, no matter where they live or what language they speak. We cannot and will not rest until we end the silence, and make sure that abused seniors receive the support and protection they rightly deserve. That is why I have made it a priority to introduce legislation and resolutions to aggressively combat elder abuse, and it is why I will continue to fight for increased funding and resources in order to end it once and for all.”

Bobbie Sackman, Director of Public Policy, Council of Senior Centers and Services (CSCS), states, “As we stand in solidarity for World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, CSCS calls upon City Council and Mayor Bill de Blasio to provide $4 million in funding to build a robust and diverse community-based elder abuse victims network. Current city funding of $800,000 obviously isn’t enough. With almost one out ten older New Yorkers experiencing elder abuse in the shadows, it is incumbent upon city leaders to address these heinous crimes. Elder abuse is a hidden crisis as only one out of 24 cases gets reported to law enforcement and other authorities. Most abusers are family members, often leaving the abused elder financially devastated, isolated and neglected, and at-risk of declining health. Simply put, there is no excuse for elder abuse.”