HILLSBORO, Ore.- The Washington County District Attorney’s Office is honoring World Elder Abuse Month as our office also seeks to raise awareness to crimes impacting seniors in our community.
Our dedicated team of prosecutors handles crimes committed against vulnerable adults. This team is focused on holding those who commit these crimes accountable. These crimes include theft, physical and sexual abuse, neglect and abuses of fiduciary duty and power of attorney to victims aged 65 and older.
Perpetrators
Data shows those committing these crimes are most often known to the victim. They are often either a family member or a caregiver. The Department of Justice has also found that the amount of monetary loses were greater when the victim knew the suspect. From 2013-2017, that average loss was $50,200 in cases reported across the country, according to the DOJ.
Warning Signs
Our team also conducts outreach and training opportunities to educate community members and public safety partners about the warning signs to watch for when it comes to spotting elder abuse. Those red flags include:
- Any suspicious or unexplained injury
- Isolation of the elder from family or friends
- Elders who become extremely withdrawn, non-communicative or non-responsive
- Change in behavior or mood
- Sudden changes in financial situations
- Request to sign power of attorney forms
Additionally, Washington County Vulnerable Adult Multidisciplinary Team meets regularly with public safety and community partners from across the area to coordinate efforts to protect vulnerable populations. Senior Deputy District Attorney Allison Brown chairs this group.
“We have a team of dedicated professionals here in Washington County that is committed to protecting elders and adults with disabilities. The team works collaboratively to ensure vulnerable adults are safe and to hold these offenders accountable,” SDDA Brown said.
This month, the team is also taking part in online training hosted by the Oregon Department of Justice’s elder abuse division. The training will be focused primarily on the investigation and prosecution of financial crimes committed against vulnerable adults, which is one of the most common types of abuse in this population. The team is looking forward to increasing their skills to best serve elders and vulnerable adults in Washington County.
Resources:
If you suspect elder abuse, report it to law enforcement immediately. You can also contact Washington County Adult Protective Services for additional information or call the Elder Safe program at 503-846-6048.
