Senate News Update
From Senator Jane Earll
May 7, 2008

Dealing with Domestic Violence at Any Age

I recently had the honor of speaking to the staff and volunteers of SafeNet, which serves victims of domestic violence.

They do wonderful work helping victims of a crime that strikes people of all ages with alarming frequency.  Harvard researchers found that during one 24-hour period in 2006, more than 2,477 Pennsylvanians sought refuge in emergency shelters, lived in transitional housing facilities, or received non-residential services such as counseling, legal advocacy and children's support groups.

In addition, 802 hotline calls were answered by local domestic violence program advocates.  That was just a typical day.  At least 800,000 Pennsylvanians are victims of domestic violence each year, including senior citizens.

The National Center for the Prevention of Elder Abuse identifies two major categories of violence against seniors: "Domestic violence grown old" is when domestic violence started earlier in life and persists into old age.  There may have been a strained relationship or emotional abuse earlier that got worse as the partners aged.  "Late onset domestic violence" begins in old age.

When abuse begins or is exacerbated in old age, it is likely to be linked to retirement, disability, changing roles of family members or sexual changes.

Domestic violence against senior citizens is usually perpetrated by spouses or intimate partners.  With "physical abuse" in general, the perpetrators may be acquaintances, sons, daughters, grandchildren or others.  Both of these categories fall under "elder abuse," which also includes neglect, as well as financial, sexual and psychological abuse. 

The Erie Area Agency on Aging provides Adult Protective services.  The AAA offers 24-hour access to case workers who investigate abuse, neglect, exploitation, and abandonment of persons 60 years of age and older.  Guardianship and power of attorney services are also provided.  Their number is 459-4581 (extension 400). 

In addition, because various state agencies, local law enforcement, criminal investigators and prosecutors work together to resolve cases of elder victimization, it may be difficult to know where to report certain elder abuse concerns.  A call to the Attorney General's Elder Abuse Hotline to report the abuse, neglect, financial exploitation or victimization of an older Pennsylvania citizen can help address your questions quickly. 

The toll-free number for the Elder Abuse Hotline is 1-866-623-2137. 

Domestic violence should not be tolerated at any age. Please know the facts and know that help is available if you or a loved one is the target of such a crime. 

As always, if you have questions on this or any state government matter, please do not hesitate to call my office at 814-453-2515.