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World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD)

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day 2013 Banner

Below you'll find a listing of 2013 WEAAD events,  a selection of resources,  and a number of ideas for expanding community-wide awareness of the problem of elder abuse.  Download a complete list of activities and programs here.

2013 WEAAD EVENTS

Communities around the world are planning events and activities for World Elder Abuse Awareness Day 2013. To help spread the word about what is going on in the United States, the National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA) is collecting reports from individuals and organizations about what they’re planning this year. Share information about your community’s event and check out what’s going on around the country. Visit: http://www.ncea.aoa.gov/Get_Involved/Awareness/WEAAD/TakeAStand.aspx

  • May 23: Webinar:  Elder Abuse: Domestic Violence in Later Life
    Presented by Bonnie Brandl, founder and director of the National Clearinghouse on Abuse in Later Life; and Art Mason, director of the Elder Abuse Prevention Program at Lifespan in Rochester, New York .This webinar will explore the unique characteristics of domestic abuse in later life, focusing on the prevalence of elder abuse, working with Adult Protective Services and other resources as well as practical tips for working with older victims of abuse. Sponsored by Jewish Women International and The National Association of Social Workers (NASW).
  • June 10-15: Ask the Expert
    As part of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day 2013, Ageless Alliance will be co-hosting an online "Ask the Expert" event about elder abuse with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).  The event will run from June 10-15 and take place on the CDC Veto Violence Facebook page. Several times each day the CDC and Ageless Alliance will be posting important information and will be available to answer your questions about elder abuse. 
  • June 14: Blog Talk Radio Session:  Working Together to End Abuse in Later Life in Latin@ Communities:  A conversation with Latin@ leaders and anti-violence advocates.
    Time:      2pm Eastern.
    Each year on June 15th the International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse promotes events and activities that raise awareness of elder abuse, including neglect, maltreatment, and mistreatment of elder adults throughout the world. This year’s theme is "We Make A Difference.” Join the National Latin@ Network for Healthy Families and Communities, a Project of Casa de Esperanza, the National Clearinghouse on Abuse in Later Life (NCALL) and the National Hispanic Council on Aging (NHCOA) as we observe this year’s World Elder Abuse Awareness Day.  To participate, please click here. 
  •  June 15: United Nations Event
    The Administration for Community Living is joining with Human Resources and Skill Development Canada, the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs, and other international partners to recognize World Day at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City.  Speakers will include Kathy Greenlee, Administrator of the Administration for Community Living and Assistant Secretary, Administration on Aging and representatives from the UN, Canada, and other governments. The second part of the day’s event will provide an NGO perspective and reception at the U.S. Mission to the UN.  Speakers will include representatives from AARP, HelpAge International, and the UN NGO Committee on Aging. The event will be streamed live and later archived by the U.N.
  • June 17:  Webinar:  Working Together to End Abuse in Later Life in Latin@ Communities. (English)
    Time    : 3pm Eastern.
    Like all adult victims of abuse, older victims have a complex set of circumstances and often poor options to consider.  Older survivors may have additional needs requiring service providers to examine how they are currently delivering services and how their policies and practices may help or hinder an older survivor.  During this webinar, presenters will discuss how generational issues may influence survivors’ choices, especially within communities who have experienced historical trauma and oppression. We will explore some of the challenges experienced by Latin@ communities, including immigration. Finally, we will explore how the complexity of these situations often requires organizations and communities to work together in new and innovative ways to meet the needs of older survivors.  To participate, please click here.
    Presenters:     Ann Turner, National Clearinghouse on Abuse in Later Life (NCALL) & Heidi Notario, Casa de Esperanza.
  • June 27: Webinar:  Working Together to End Abuse in Later Life in Latin@ Communities. (Spanish)
    Hora:     3pm Eastern.
    Trabajando Junt@s para Ponerle Fin al Abuso contra las Personas Mayores.
    El abuso a los ancianos o personas de la tercera edad es un problema común en nuestra sociedad pero del que poco se habla. Esto es particularmente difícil porque las víctimas/sobrevivientes de este tipo de abuso son casi siempre parte de una población invisible presente en todas las culturas, géneros, orientación sexual, estatus migratorio, etc. En este seminario web, las presentadoras discutirán las necesidades específicas de Latin@s víctimas del abuso de ancianos, ya que esta población continúa estando poco representada en estudios y en la práctica diaria. Las presentadoras compartirán soluciones para resolver esta falta y ejemplos de colaboraciones exitosas para responder a este problema satisfactoriamente.
    Presentadores:     Concilio Nacional Hispano para los Adultos Mayores (NHCOA, por sus siglas en ingles.)

SELECTED RESOURCES

  • Ageless Alliance
    Ageless Alliance created an action kit including videos and documents to strengthen your stand against elder abuse. You are welcome to download and freely use these materials in your efforts to combat elder abuse. 
  • Domestic Violence Awareness Project (DVAP)
    Focus on Elders for WEAAD – June 15th. Read about various resources to raise awareness of elder abuse within DV/SV victim advocacy programs.
  • National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA)
    AoA’s NCEA website contains many resources to help you find assistance, publications, data, information, and answers about elder abuse. For information and ideas about World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, visit the World Elder Abuse Awareness Day section of the website. 
  • National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC)
    NSVRC offers an archived webinar, "Prosecuting Cases of Sexual Violence in Later Life," presented by Viktoria Kristiansson, Attorney Advisor for AEquitas: The Prosecutors' Resource on Violence Against Women, and Bonnie Brandl, Director of the National Clearinghouse on Abuse in Later Life (NCALL).
  • Resource Sharing Project (RSP)
    On June 1, 2013, the Resource Sharing Project will release its ReShape e-newsletter to state and territorial sexual assault organizations addressing sexual assault in later life. This first edition features original articles from Bonnie Brandl, Madeline Kasper, and Dr. Holly Ramsey-Klawsnik, all experts in this field, and features the work of the National Sexual Violence Resource Center’s Sexual Assault Across the Lifespan National Technical Assistance Project. Visit the Resource Sharing Project’s webpage after June 1 to access the ReShape e-newsletter: http://www.resourcesharingproject.org/rsp-products/reshape-newsletters. 
  • Safe Havens Interfaith Partnership Against Domestic Violence and NCALL created a partnership guide for faith leaders and service providers. The toolkit, “Where Faith and Safety Meet:  Faith Communities Respond to Elder Abuse,” offers resources for service providers and advocates as well as for faith communities. http://www.interfaithpartners.org/drupal-7.0/elderhome
  • VAWnet Special Collection: Preventing and Responding to Abuse in Later Life. This collection draws from the work of the National Clearinghouse on Abuse in Later Life (NCALL), National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC), National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA) and other organizations to highlight the complexities of older people's DV/SV experiences and emphasizes collaborative and multi-pronged approaches to addressing DV/SV in later life

IDEAS FOR RAISING AWARENESS ON JUNE 15

  • Host a public awareness event geared toward seniors.
  • Send out a press release, hold a press conference, or submit an editorial to discuss elder abuse awareness and prevention efforts.
  • Host a conference or training focused on elder abuse awareness and available community resources.
  • Develop a PSA on elder abuse with a local TV or radio station or use one created by Ageless Alliance or the Office for Victims of Crime.
  • Educate yourself and others about elder abuse. This year, to honor World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, NCALL developed a series of information sheets to increase awareness of and provide resources on elder abuse and abuse in later life. You can also visit VAWNet’s webpage: How Can I Help Elders in My Community Be Safe from Abuse?

 

NCALL
WEAAD Posters

2013

8.5 x 11 (English)
11 x 17 (English)
8.5 x 11 (Spanish)
11 x 17 (Spanish)

2012

8.5 x 11 (English)
11 x 17 (English)

 

 

  • Use graphics on your website, blog, or in your email signature block to draw awareness to elder abuse and prevention efforts. The Administration on Aging, Ageless Alliance, INPEA, and NCALL have created a variety of logos, web banners, web buttons, and other web graphics that may be freely used to promote elder abuse awareness.
  • Host a public awareness activity that includes politicians, seniors, local programs, survivors of abuse, and others.
  • Ask local leaders, e.g., Mayor, County Executive, and Governor, to release a proclamation declaring June 15 as Elder Abuse Awareness Day.