Elder Abuse Awareness Week

June 12 - June 19 is recognized as Elder Abuse Awareness Week in Iowa. Studies show that 1 in 10 seniors in America experience mistreatment or abuse. We know that seniors can be susceptible to becoming victims of crime and that it even oftentimes goes unreported. 

ALL crime victims deserve to have their rights protected in our state’s Constitution. This will ensure that victims have rights that are equal to the constitutional rights of the defendant. These constitutional protections for crime victims would include the following rights:

• the right to be informed of their rights
• the right to be treated with fairness, dignity and respect;
• the right to reasonable protection from the accused;
• the right to be notified, be present and be heard at court proceedings;
• the right to notification of the status of the offender
• the right to restitution;
• and the right to enforce these rights in the criminal justice process.

Several organizations across the state posted videos discussing the most common forms of Elder Abuse. Click to watch the informational videos: 

Elderbridge Agency on Aging - Financial Exploitation

Heritage Area Agency on Aging - Physical Abuse

Milestones Area Agency on Aging - Self-Neglect

Seniors who become victims of crime deserve equal constitutional protections.  You can find more info here: https://www.agingresources.com/