An aging population, communal living arrangements, and increased use of technology to engage vulnerable seniors are contributing to a rise in elder abuse across the United States and the Virgin Islands, according to speakers at a two-day Elder Justice Summit held on St. Thomas and St. Croix. The event was sponsored by the V.I. Chapter of the AARP.
Dozens of participants joined the sessions held simultaneously on the University of the Virgin Islands’s St. Thomas and St. Croix campus conference rooms; many of them social workers and first responders. They were welcomed by AARP Advocacy Director Pamela Toussaint, who said the number of elder abuse cases in the territory is growing into a major concern.
Organizers said one of the goals of the first summit was to examine the scope of the problem, common forms of elder abuse and explore some of the barriers keeping a solution at bay. Other sessions planned in the months ahead include addressing elder abuse in the financial sector, among caregivers, and as experienced by V.I. senior citizens.
It’s estimated that 22% of the territory’s population is aged 65 or older, placing the Virgin Islands ahead of the national average of 16.67%. That means authorities here can expect to see more frequent cases of physical abuse, financial exploitation, mental and emotional and even sexual abuse among older adults.
“Abuse is often underreported,” said Human Services Commissioner Averil George. “Nationally, it is estimated that one in 10 older adults experience some form of abuse, but too often these crimes remain hidden due to fear, isolation or lack of support.”
Former San Diego prosecutor and advocate for elder justice Paul Greenwood said one of the barriers he experienced during the investigation was misconceptions that older crime victims were unreliable, combined with a reluctance among victims to self-report.
“What can we do on St. Thomas, St. Croix and St. John to break this silence?” Greenwood asked.
Advocates attending the summit said they would like to see government officials and local nonprofits form multidisciplinary support networks similar to those used to assist victims of child abuse. They also heard from Senator-At-Large Angel Bolques, sponsor of the Elder and Dependent Adult Abuse Prevention Act, a measure in place in all 50 U.S. states.
If adopted, Bill No. 25-00470 would allow the imposition of criminal and civil penalties for those found guilty of abuse, prevent retaliation against complainants, and allow those whose successful pursuit of wrongdoing to collect attorney’s fees and other civil penalties.
St. Croix Source
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