Having knowledge of social policies is essential to address elder abuse because it is crucial to have valued information to provide to the service user or how to report any type of abuse or neglect with seniors. In Canada, elder abuse legislation is a responsibility of federal, provincial and municipal (Podnieks, 2008). Likewise, the federal Criminal Code (1985) defines the standards for criminal justice through the country. Hence, this code has strengths and limitation regarding elder abuse. The major drawback of the Criminal Code is the fact that it does not address elder abuse specifically. Instead, this code operates in areas such as “child abuse, sexual assault and spousal violence” (Donovan & Regehr, 2010, p.177). However, elder abuse must be included in other Criminal Code provisions. For example, financial abuse cases can be considered through provisions related to robbery, falsification or fraud (Donovan & Regehr, 2010). Physical abuse episodes are addressed under the provisions of homicide, assassination and other physical assault. Elder sexual abuse situations are considered under points such as sexual attack, sexual attack with a weapon, intimidations …show more content…
Fundamental for domestic violence program is educating the public, specifically providing information regarding several forms of abuse and seniors’ rights, in order to raise awareness of this social issue. Another strength of this program is the existence of shelters for older men and women victims of abuse, along with groups to support victims, hotlines for seniors victims of abuse, and counselling programs available to victims and also their families (Podnieks,
The main objective of this article to see is domestic violence courts are meeting their goal to improve quality and process of the criminal justice response. An interview was done with justice stakeholders and the accused to know the impact of the courts. The two main principles of domestic violence courts are to provide early intervention to low risk and offenders and right prosecution for the serious offenders. By interviewing the accused the research found out that most were satisfied with what type of treatment they were offered by the court. There were some comments by the accused that domestic violence courts are biased in favor towards the victims.
Sexual violence constitutes different types, for example, rape (the coercion of sex to a nonconsenting party). Sexual violence could also be molestation (for instance, paedophilic actions), unwanted sexual comments, forced marriages, failed BDSM (bondage,
NHS and community care act 1990: sets out the duties of local authorities to assess an individual’s needs and ensure that each individual receives the required services to which they are entitled. Human rights act 1998: sets out an individual’s rights and freedoms under the law. Carers act 2004: ensures carers are identified and informed of their rights and that their needs for education, training, employment and leisure are taken into consideration. Mental capacity act 2005: provides the legal framework for acting and making decisions on behalf of those who lack the mental understanding to do so themselves. Safeguarding vulnerable groups act 2006: ensures unsuitable persons are barred from working with vulnerable adults and that employers
Physical abuse is exactly what anyone could imagine, it involves the physical act of beating, choking, or even sexually assaulting an elderly individual. This might occur in a situation where a caregiver becomes frustrated with an elderly individual for not performing a task the caregiver desires, or could simply be a case where someone takes advantage of an elderly person who may not be capable of retaliating. Psychological abuse is when threats, intimidation, and verbal aggression are used on an elderly person. Psychological abuse can be seen when a decision needs to be made by an elderly individual. One may threaten or intimidate an elder to persuade them to make a desired decision, and the elder would listen in fear or trust that the decision is of the best interest.
The United States government is doing a surprisingly little amount for the million of elderly who are being abused everyday. An affective abuse policy increasing elderly protection services is immensely needed. The public should also be informed about elderly abuse, and the individuals who commit the crime of abusing the elderly should have stricter punishments. People in society can help towards pushing for a more goal driven elder justice policy. In the article, “The Elderly Must Be Protected From Abuse,” author Robert B. Blancato explains seven goals which should be addressed towards elderly justice.
At Adult Protective Services majority of our work involves investigation of abuse, neglect, and exploitation. At Adult Protective Services our job is to protect the vulnerable elderly population, as well as the population that have disabilities. “Only APS is statutorily authorized and responsible for investigating elder and vulnerable adult abuse and taking steps to protect the victims, and it is generally only APS that helps the most frail and incapacitated older persons”(Quin, 2012, p.68). When abuse is suspected, a case worker will reach out to all parties involved, such as the alleged victim, alleged perpetrator, and all collaterals. Unlike many other professions, case worker are not required to have any written consent to speak with
By the end of Confronting Elderly Abuse in America, I was crying and upset. I felt so bad for the victims, and I couldn’t believe that so many people could hurt the elderly. I believe the state stated in the documentary was that nearly 90% are abused by someone they know. It’s devastating to know that those being abused put so much trust in the ones they love without knowing their loved ones are abusing their power. Although, the majority of elderly abuse cases are caused by a loved one or caregiver there are those cases that person abused was picked at random like husband’s grandma.
Prospective JD candidate Jane Black analyzes the issue of elder abuse in her article “The Not-So-Golden Years: Power Of Attorney, Elder Abuse, And Why Our Laws Are Failing A Vulnerable Population” (particularly the financial aspect) and creates a solution to the glaring issues that plague the system meant to protect the elderly. Black uses three main points to produce an accurate look at the issues at hand. First, elderly people are particularly vulnerable to abuse making them easy targets. Second, the laws that are meant to keep the elderly safe are weak, thus enabling more abuse. Third, by creating stronger laws and programs, elder abuse can be curbed very easily.
Describe the case in detail In June 2016, the Adult Protective Service reported a case of elderly abuse to the Lafayette police after a family called them to report that their mother was a victim of abuse. Julie Steenhoek, a 53 years old, was accused of financial abuse to a woman with health problems. The victim was Lavinia Reno, a 79-year-old woman. The police found that Julie was living in the house of the victim after she has gained the victim’s trust.
This abuse includes physical, sexual, emotional or psychological, neglect, abandonment, financial or material exploitation, and self-neglect abuse. I will focus on this social condition of abuse that has triggered through social experience leading to the abuse of African American elders. African American elder abuse is the mistreatment towards black individuals of the age 60 and older. The victims are usually older frail and vulnerable seniors. The abusers of the victims are commonly close relatives, spouse, or caretaker.
Prior to this act passed in 1994, defects in state laws, state criminal justice systems, and prejudicial stereotypes led to few arrests, prosecutions, actual convictions, and inadequate sentencing (Portillo, 2011). There were huge gaps in the justice system regarding cases of domestic violence that rarely gave justice to abusers and effectively protected victims. Before this act was passed, there was little to no funding for protection programs that would aid victims in the midst of their abuse, on their road to recovery, and protection after. Also, because domestic violence was only defined at a state and local level, this meant that there was no federal legislation stopping abusers from crossing state lines to escape sentencing in other states (Portillo, 2011). This meant that if a victim had a protection order in their own state, other states would not be able to enforce that order and protect the victim.
According to the National Center on Elder Abuse, “Elder mistreatment (i.e. abuse and neglect) is defined as intentional actions that cause harm or create a serious risk of harm (whether or not harm is intended) to a vulnerable elder by a caregiver or other person who stands in a trust relationship to the elder. This includes failure by a caregiver to satisfy the elder’s basic needs or to protect the elder from harm. ”1 The topic I chose to conduct my research on is in regards to the public policy issues related to the prevention of elder abuse. This topic pertaining to the elderly particularly stood out to me because of my seven years’ experience in working with the elderly community within the city of Boston.
Elder abuse can be referred to as a single or repeated act or lack of appropriate action, occurring within any relationship where there is an expectation of trust, which causes harm or distress to an older person. Elderly people often get abuse by people who should be their protector and carer, in most circumstances many elderly adults are abused in their own homes, in relatives’ homes, and even in facilities responsible for their care. If you suspect that an elderly person is at risk from a neglectful or overwhelmed caregiver, or being preyed upon financially, it’s important to speak up. Learning about the warning signs of elder abuse, what the risk factors are, and how you can prevent and report the problem it’s very vital in protecting the elderly from abuse, some of these abuse are; • Not caring for someone property (neglect) • Pressuring
Sexual violence includes, touching in a sexual manner without consent (i.e., kissing, grabbing, fondling),forced sexual intercourse, forcing a person to perform sexual acts that may be degrading or painful, forcing a person to view pornographic material, forcing participation in pornographic filming, making unwelcome sexual comments or jokes, leering behavior and forced prostitution. 3. Emotional
Analysis of existing structures implemented to support victims of domestic violence. The initial conceptualisation of family violence was developed in the study of battered children in 1960’s since then many victims have been identified globally. In France, 148 women death was caused due to domestic violence in 2012, in Europe domestic violence is the main cause of female death aged 17 years to 40 years. Domestic violence has been defined in numerous ways, however one simple definition of domestic violence would be that, ‘’Domestic violence and emotional abuse are behaviours used by one person in a relationship to control the other.