U.S. Attorney's Office Observes World Elder Abuse Awareness Day

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – In observance of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD), U.S. Attorney Dena J. King joined the Justice Department and communities around the world today to condemn elder abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation, and vowed to continue to investigate and prosecute bad actors who seek to exploit and harm older adults.

First recognized on June 15, 2006, by the International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse and the World Health Organization at the United Nations, WEAAD aims to promote a better understanding of the abuse and neglect experienced by millions of older adults – crimes that are too often overlooked or unreported. Through this observance, WEAAD brings focus to the cultural, social, economic, and demographic circumstances affecting elder abuse and neglect.

“Today, we reaffirm our commitment to end elder abuse and to continue to work tirelessly to advocate for older adults and advance the cause of elder justice. On this day and every day, it is important to shine a light on elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation and bring to justice individuals who victimize older adults and rob them of the safety, dignity, and respect they deserve.”

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of North Carolina seeks to actively prevent elder abuse and financial exploitation from occurring in the first place. As part of its efforts to prevent elder financial fraud, the Office continues to engage in outreach with the community to educate older adults, their families, and caretakers about scams targeting the elderly, and provide educational material and resources on how to recognize and report elder abuse and financial exploitation and prevent victimization from happening.

Today, the U.S. Attorney’s Office organized a “Walk for Awareness” at Freedom Park in Charlotte, to promote WEAAD and raise public awareness of the fight against elder abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation. U.S. Attorney’s Office personnel, law enforcement partners, AARP volunteers, and members of the community participated in the walk in support of efforts to advance elder justice.

“As prosecutors our job is to bring to justice those who inflict harm on our older population. Equally important is our work in the community and our efforts to actively organize and promote public awareness events centered on the prevention of elder abuse and exploitation, so we can stop older adults from being victimized in the first place,” said U.S. Attorney King.

To report elder fraud, contact the dedicated National Elder Fraud Hotline at 1-833-FRAUD-11 or 1-833-372-8311 and visit the FBI’s IC3 Elder Fraud Complaint Center at IC3.gov. To learn more about the Office’s elder justice efforts please visit our website.