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Date: April 30, 2024 Tue
Time: 2:16 am
Time: 2:16 am
Results for victims services (u.s.)
1 results foundAuthor: Miller, Mark L. Title: Protecting America's Senior Citizens: What Local Prosecutors Are Doing to Fight Elder Abuse Summary: The crime of elder abuse is rapidly gaining the attention of society, policymakers, and law enforcement. As gatekeepers to the criminal justice system, local prosecutors have a crucial role to play in fighting elder abuse. They are frequently central to investigating allegations of elder abuse, prosecuting offenders, and ensuring that critical services are delivered to victims. Yet little is known about how local prosecutors handle elder abuse cases. This report summarizes a national survey of local prosecutors’ offices, in which prosecutors describe their experiences with investigating, prosecuting, and providing victim services in elder abuse cases. In addition, information from case studies of three local prosecutors’ offices with successful elder abuse programs is summarized, including various tips and tools developed by these offices. People who were interviewed for the case studies agreed that several elements were critical to success in working with elderly crime victims: The chief prosecutor’s personal commitment to a proactive, innovative approach; Early involvement of the prosecutor’s office; Victim advocacy and support; Community outreach and education; and Law enforcement training. APRI’s national survey suggests that the three case study jurisdictions may be at the vanguard of a growing movement to direct more attention to elderly victims: Nearly 30 percent of local prosecutors’ offices (typically from more populous jurisdictions) report having a unit devoted exclusively to elder abuse; Only a small minority of local prosecutors’ offices emphasize early involvement in elder abuse cases; Fewer than a quarter of local prosecutors’ offices (mostly in larger jurisdictions) have victim advocates who work exclusively with elderly victims; Almost 60 percent of local prosecutors’ offices engage in public education and prevention activities regarding elder abuse; One-third of local prosecutors report offering specialized training (e.g., for law enforcement, APS, medical personnel) in how to handle elder abuse cases. The most difficult challenges facing local prosecutors in elder abuse cases, according to the national survey, revolve around the victims’ physical and mental capacities, as well as the victims’ degree of cooperation in their case. Throughout the report are selected examples of innovative strategies that prosecutors have found effective in surmounting these challenges. By sharing these ideas with prosecutors across the country, APRI hopes to ensure greater safety and protection for America’s senior citizens. Details: Alexandria, VA: American Prosecutors Research Institute (APRI), 2003. 47p. Source: APRI Special Topics Series: Internet Resource: Accessed March 13, 2012 at http://www.ndaa.org/pdf/protecting_americas_senior_citizens_2003.pdf Year: 2003 Country: United States URL: http://www.ndaa.org/pdf/protecting_americas_senior_citizens_2003.pdf Shelf Number: 124502 Keywords: Administration of Justice (U.S.)Elder Abuse (U.S.)Prosecution (U.S.)Prosecutors (U.S.)Victims Services (U.S.) |