Governor Otter signed a proclamation declaring today June 15, 2016 "Idaho Elder Abuse Awareness Day". The governor said, “People in every community should be aware of the signs of elder abuse. They need to intervene when abuse is suspected, report it and help educate others on the signs of elder abuse.”
The FACES Victim Advocacy Center is one place Idahoans can to turn for protection and support should abuse be suspected.
“As our population ages, reports of elder abuse are steadily rising,” said Jean Fisher, FACES COO and Deputy Prosecutor for Ada County. "Our most common form is financial exploitation, but right behind that is physical abuse and neglect," Fisher said.
FACES says seniors often do not report crimes against them because those crimes are committed by their adult children, upon whom seniors depend for support.
"We have laws on the books that law enforcement can get involved if they need to. We have adult protection services that can get involved locally. Even if we can't prosecute a case, FACES will take care of victims," says Fisher.
