Elder Abuse and Domestic Violence in Later Life: Innovative New Resources for the Community Lisa Furr, MA and Adrienne Johnson, MS
the issues of domestic violence in later life (DVLL) and elder abuse and their prevalence
the importance of the faith-based community’s response
the history and goals of the Take Back Your Life project
the features of the Take Back Your Life: DVLL Solution Center
how to utilize the Solution Center and its resources in your community
what is happening nationally around these issues
OBJECTIVES
WHAT IS ELDER ABUSE?
Abuse, Neglect, and/or
Exploitation of an Elder or Vulnerable
Adult
Includes Self-
Neglect
Age 60 and Older
These cases may be handled by Adult Protective Services (APS)
The Interrelationship between Domestic Violence and Elder Abuse
Domestic Violence
Abuse in Later Life
Elder Abuse
Created by National Clearinghouse on Abuse in Later Life, a project of the Wisconsin Coalition against Domestic Violence
Domestic Violence in the Second Half of
Life
A pattern of coercive control
and abuse of an older person
in a trusted, ongoing
relationship
Primarily women, but
includes older men
Basis is “power and control”-
Age 50 and Older
• Women and men aged 50 and over who experience DV are underserved (older women often don’t show up at shelters or DV programs)…so even experts believed that violence dropped off as people age
• To the contrary, Moulton et. al. (2004) reported that physical and verbal abuse is occurring at rates similar to or higher than those for younger women
• 3.7 per 1,000 older women reported becoming new victims of verbal abuse
• 2007 VSDV Alliance reported that 19% of the adults served by DV programs in VA were age 45-64, 1% over 65 (total=20%)
www.dss.virginia.gov/files/about/reports/adults/adult_services_annual/sfy_2012_Annual_Report.pdf
Family Abuse in Later Life P
sychological Abuse P
sychological Abuse
Psychological Abuse Psychological Abuse
Emotional Abuse Emotional Abuse
Em
otion
al Abu
se
Em
otion
al Abu
seThreatens
Targets vulnerabilities and neglects
Financially exploits
Uses privilege
IsolatesUses family
members
Ridicules personal and
cultural values
Denies access to spiritual
traditions/eventsPOWER and
CONTROL
Created by the National Clearinghouse on Abuse in Later
Life (NCALL) www.ncall.us www.wcadv.org
This diagram adapted from the Power and Control/Equality wheels developed by the Domestic Abuse
Intervention Project, Duluth, MN
Who Abuses?Intimate
Partners
Caregivers
Adult Children and other
Family membe
rs
Others in
position of trust
and authorit
y
If a battered woman asks me
whether she should talk to her
faith leader or not, I usually say
“no” –
if she has to ask, then I doubt that
it is safe to go to that person.
I still have faith leaders say to me,
“but no one ever comes to me with this problem.”
CONCLUSION: we don’t have domestic
violence in our faith community.
FURTHER CONCLUSION: I don’t need to be trained to deal with a problem we don’t have.
Rev. Dr. Marie Fortune:Founder and Senior Analyst
Faith-based Community
As People of Faith, we are called to create healthy individuals, relationships, families and communities.
We create a more Healthy World.
• Web Interfaces
• Resource Directory
• Community Outreach
SeniorNavigator Snapshot
www.virginianavigator.org
Take Back Your Life Project
PROJECT LEADERSHIP PARTNERS:
SeniorNavigator and the
Virginia Center on Aging
ADVISORY PARTNERS:
Virginia Sexual and Domestic Violence
Action Alliance and
The James House
FUNDING: Cameron
Foundation and the
Verizon Foundation (2009-2010)
Take Back Your Life Project GOALS
To create a community-
created, informative and
confidential online
“Solution Center”
To raise awareness
about domestic violence in
later lifeTo help faith
and community leaders to
respond to and assist people
in abusive situations
To equip “trusted
community resources” with
information
To expand the resource
statewide!
Take Back Your Life NAME
Support for Someone Experiencing Abuse
Agencies
Community InvolvementFOCUS GROUPS - Six focus groups, including one for service providers
- Held in five locations- Representation from every city and county across the Cameron
region
FOCUS GROUP PARTICIPANTS 28 focus group
participants
“TOP TEN” helped create solution
center
COMMUNITY PARTNER
MEETINGS (3) 38 attendees
representing 25 community
organizations and agencies
FAITH-BASED TRAINING
22 participants
ONGOING TRAINING Incorporated into all
SN trainings
Focus group feedback – “Top Ten”
Shame/stigma associated with DV
Not wanting to leave home and/or community
Lack of information or forum: DVLL
What if I have the courage to ask for help,
but I am denied resources?
Don’t know where to go
Financial barriers
Don’t want to ask for help
Family issues
Child as caregiver
Resources for addressing caregiver
stress
Take Back Your Life (TBYL) Solution Center Demo
http://www.virginianavigator.org/tbyl/
www.seniornavigator.org or www.virginianavigator.org or www.disAbilityNavigator.org
Resources for the Community
Training on TBYL: DVLL
Solution Center
Faith-based organization
training
Brochure distribution
www.seniornav.org/TBYL
Resources for the Community: Logo Link
http://www.virginianavigator.org/vn/DetailSN.aspx?contentId=1022&.f=0
Resources for the Community: Clings
National Level Review
Resources • NCALL - National Coalition On Abuse in Later Life-
Wisconsin State coalition
• www.ncall.us
Resources
• Faith Trust Institute http://www.faithtrustinstitute.org/
Resources • Safe Havens Interfaith Partnership against Domestic Violence
• http://www.interfaithpartners.org
Resources • Virginia Adult Protective Services APS
• To report suspected financial exploitation or other kinds of abuse to the elderly or adults with a disability, call your local DSS or the Virginia Department of Social Services' 24-hour, toll-free Adult Protective Services hotline at: 1(888) 832-3858. http://www.dss.virginia.gov/family/as/aps.cgi
• SeniorNavigator:
• www.seniornav.org/tbyl (Direct Link)
• 1-866-393-0957 Toll-free
• 1-804-525-7728 (Metro Richmond)
• JOIN US:
• List your programs in the database
• Provide feedback on the TBYL: DVLL Solution Center
• Find a Navigator Center near you
• Book a presentation or invite us to your community event!
RECORDED WEBINAR
featuring Dr. Paula Kupstas and Lisa Furr, MA
www.alzpossible.org/wordpress-3.1.4/wordpress/webinars-2/elder-abuse-neglect-and-exploitation/
Webinar recording and slides available at:
MORE ON THE TOPIC OF ELDER ABUSEand TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE/
TRAINING STATEWIDE
Call Lisa G. [email protected] | 804.828.1525
TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE/
TRAINING STATEWIDE
Contact info:
Adrienne Johnson
804.525.7735
Lisa G. Furr
804.828.1525
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