Civil Attorneys - NCALL - The National Clearinghouse on Abuse in Later Life

Civil attorneys and other civil legal system professionals work each day to ensure victim safety and hold offenders accountable for harm to older survivors. Their knowledge and understanding of the fundamentals of elder abuse, as well as the legal remedies and non-litigation resources available to older survivors, are critical in developing effective intervention strategies to end elder abuse and prevent further harm to older adults.

Selected Resources

Abuse in Later Life: A Webinar Series for Civil Attorneys and Legal Advocates

This recorded 5-part webinar series is presented by the National Clearinghouse on Abuse in Later Life (NCALL) and the American Bar Association (ABA) Commission on Domestic & Sexual Violence. Viewers will learn about a range of topics related to civil remedies for abuse in later life. (Please note: CLE credit is not approved for the recorded sessions of this webinar series. CLE units are only available for participants who attended during the live webinar session).

Module 1: Abuse in Later Life Overview – September 13, 2023
This module explores forms of abuse in later life, common abuser tactics, and dynamics of power and control that exist in many abuse in later life cases.
Module 2: Forming the Relationship with Your Client – September 27, 2023
This module discusses the importance of using a victim-centered approach to screening for abuse in later life and critical challenges to client communication, including accessibility and cultural barriers. The key concepts of privilege, confidentiality, and mandated reporting are also discussed.
Module 3: Client Goal-setting and Non-litigation Responses – October 11, 2023
This module discusses the need for civil attorneys to listen to client priorities and goals to achieve desired outcomes. Engaging in multi-disciplinary collaboration and client advocacy are also reviewed.
Module 4: Legal Resolutions and Remedies – October 25, 2023
This module identifies available civil legal remedies that serve both vulnerable and competent older victims.
Module 5: Bringing the Case – Trial Skills – November 8, 2023
This module discusses the identification and preservation of evidence and testimony and helps viewers to understand methods to develop an effective elder abuse case theory and prepare witnesses for direct and cross-examination.

Protection Orders and Older Victims: A Survivor-Centered Approach

On June 28, 2018 , NCALL and the National Center on Protection Orders and Full Faith & Credit (NCPOFFC) presented a webinar discussing survivor-centered strategies for advocates and attorneys who work with older victims as they navigate the court system. This webinar includes tips and best practices to apply while preparing to seek a protection order, during court appearances, and after an order is granted.

Webinar Recording (60 minutes)
PowerPoint Slides (PDF 588 KB)

Other pages in this section

Abuse in Later Life: Virtual Training for Prosecutors

The National Clearinghouse on Abuse in Later Life (NCALL), under a grant from the U.S. Department of Justice Office on Violence Against Women, is pleased to offer these recorded webinars on abuse in later life for prosecutors. Elder abuse is a...

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Crime Victim Services Providers/Advocates and Criminal Justice Systems Stakeholders

Crime victim services providers, advocates, VOCA administrators, and other stakeholders and professionals within the crime victims field need resources and critical information to address the systemic barriers faced by older victims seeking access to healing supports and just outcomes.

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Domestic and Sexual Violence Advocates and Programs

Many older survivors will seek the help of domestic and sexual violence advocates and programs in dealing with the abuse they experience. Older victims can benefit from many of the services traditionally offered by domestic violence and sexual assault programs such as individual and peer counseling, support groups, emergency and transitional housing, and specialized economic and legal advocacy.

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Faith Leaders

Many older Americans turn to their faith communities and faith leaders for help when they are experiencing abuse. Older survivors know and deeply trust faith leaders and community members and often reach out for assistance in times of great need. As a faith leader, you can play a critical role in responding to abuse as well as improving access to services and supports for older survivors in your community.

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Healthcare Providers

Health care providers are in a unique position to identify and respond to abuse in later life. Often, many older adults, especially survivors, have an ongoing relationship with one or more health care providers. Primary care physicians, emergency room staff, geriatricians, dentists, physical therapists, and other providers each have an opportunity to see injuries suggesting abuse, neglect, or exploitation, or indicators of trauma.

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Prosecutors

A significant number of reported cases of elder abuse do not progress through the criminal justice system. Whether an elder abuse case is successfully prosecuted may depend on a prosecuting attorney’s familiarity with effective investigation and prosecution strategies. Further, prosecutors must be able to collaborate across disciplines to increase victim identification, to encourage victims to engage with the criminal system, and to ultimately hold more offenders accountable.

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Law Enforcement

As first responders, law enforcement officers can play a key role in providing an effective response to abuse in later life at the local level. In many cases, law enforcement can use tools already used in domestic violence, stalking, child abuse, and sexual abuse cases to interview victims and gather evidence. Officers can also benefit from learning about abuse in later life and abuse dynamics; appropriate referral resources for intervention and support for older victims; and working collaboratively with other organizations.

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Professionals Working in Tribal Communities

In many cultures, elders preserve traditions and share wisdom to help ensure community permanency and balance. Indigenous communities often hold elders in a unique and important social position. The dramatic increase in the number of older individuals has led to concern over the well-being of older adults in these communities.

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