FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May is Adult Abuse Prevention Month

Abuse Hurts at Any Age

Newport News, VA - May 7, 2010. Last year in Virginia, 15,625 incidents of suspected abuse, neglect or exploitation of elderly persons and adults with disabilities were reported to Adult Protective Services (APS). APS is the system that was established by the Code of Virginia and operated by the local departments of social services to investigate allegations of adult abuse and provide services to stop or alleviate the mistreatment

Types of adult mistreatment may include physical abuse, sexual assault, neglect of essential health or personal needs, or the exploitation of an adult’s financial resources or property. APS substantiated 59 percent of cases of abuse, neglect or exploitation in state fiscal year 2009.

Though the abuse of vulnerable adults is not a new phenomenon, it has long been cloaked in silence and has not had the public visibility that abuse of children has had. Adults who are vulnerable to mistreatment are frequently isolated and less likely to have their plight discovered by an interested outsider. Many who are victimized go unreported and unaided.

Fifty-six percent of substantiated reports concerned incidents of adult self-neglect. Sixty-three percent of APS reports alleged abuse, neglect or exploitation that occurred in the adult’s own home or apartment.

May is Older Americans’ Month. The Virginia Department of Social Services, in collaboration with other state agencies and community partners, seeks to bring the issue of adult abuse to the attention of all Virginians. Victims of adult abuse are from all income levels, races, and ethnic backgrounds.

Report suspected adult abuse, neglect, or exploitation to The Department of Human Services at (757) 926-6329 in Newport News or to the 24-hour, toll-free hotline at 1-888-83-ADULT (1-888-832-3858 for other cities or after hours.)

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