Elder Abuse is Domestic Violence

Elder abuse is one of the most common types of domestic violence, but also one of the most underreported. One reason for this is because elderly people who are dependent on others for care are often unable to stand up for themselves, usually because of some type of physical or mental disability. Another reason victims of elder abuse may not report violence or abuse is because they are afraid of being retaliated against by the abuser. Often times, victims of abuse are brainwashed into fearing their abuser will abuse or harm them further if they try to get help.

There are many unlawful acts that constitute elder abuse as a form of domestic violence when committed against a parent, grandparent, or elderly relative, such as:

• Sexual abuse: forcing an elderly person to engage in unwanted, unprotected, or unsafe sexual activity against their will or without their consent. It is also a crime to commit a sexual act against an elderly person who is unable to give their consent due to a mental disability or illness, such as Alzheimer’s or dementia.
• Financial abuse: stealing money from an elderly person, forcing an elderly person to withdraw money or change his/her will or trust, or using money to control the person are all forms of financial abuse .
• Emotional abuse: any effort to belittle, embarrass, shame, or chip away at an elderly person’s self-esteem in order to maintain control or dominance over them is emotional abuse. Threatening to use violence against an elderly person is also a form of emotional abuse.
• Neglect: children, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews are commonly entrusted to provide care to an elderly grandparent, parent, or relative. When these people fail to provide the care they were entrusted to provide, it is considered neglect. Failing to feed, clothe, bathe, and ensure the elderly person’s living quarters are clean, are all examples of negligence.

If you are aware domestic violence against an elderly person is occurring, an experienced domestic violence lawyer can help you take the appropriate course of action to ensure the violence and abuse stops once and for all.