A Roundtable Discussion on the problems of Elder Abuse was held on Wednesday, January 25 at the Brooklyn District Attorney’s offices, with welcoming remarks being offered by District Attorney Charles J. Hynes (pictured). The Roundtable, coordinated by The Interfaith Center of New York, New York State Courts Access to Justice Program, the Kings County District Attorney’s Office and New York City Elder Abuse Center, was attended by numerous Brooklyn religious leaders, and covered statistics on Elder Abuse in New York City, focusing on early warning signs, and how to get help for abused seniors.
“Elder abuse happens in every culture and country, and in every socioeconomic class,” said Kings County DA’s Office Bureau Chief, DV/Elder Abuse Unit Arlene Markarian. Ms. Markarian pointed out that religious leaders may sometimes be the only person in the community positioned to recognize an Elder Abuse case.
New York City Elder Abuse Center LMSW Robin Roberts pointed out that for every case of Elder Abuse that is reported in NYC, 24 cases go unreported. It is estimated that 100,000 seniors are the victim of physical, psychological, emotional, sexual, and/or financial abuse each year in our city.
Leaders at the Roundtable expressed the need for a state-wide database of Elder Abusers. They were also pleased to learn about the formation of a new agency, The New York City Elder Abuse Center, which coordinates all of the various state agencies who in the past have only dealt with segments of Elder Abuse cases. Now, with the NYCEAC, seniors with abuse problems are less likely to fall through cracks in the system, and get the help they need.
