June 15th is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day.
The Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office works closely with law enforcement, victim advocates and community stakeholders to support and protect elders from abuse and neglect.
Multnomah County Deputy District Attorney Christopher Shull is currently assigned as the Elder Abuse prosecutor for the office.
Elder abuse can take many forms to include physical abuse, financial abuse, physical and emotional neglect, sexual abuse and isolation.
“If you have any suspicions, report elder abuse to your county’s Adult Protective Services unit,” DDA Shull said. “Every county in Oregon has an APS team and they sort of serve the role to adults that Child Protective Services would serve in a child abuse case. They do an investigation, they can assist with a conservatorship, and they help protect the interests of our vulnerable elders in our community.”
According to DDA Shull, the most common types of elder abuse cases he sees referred for prosecutorial review are financial abuse cases where either a caregiver or family member embezzles money from an elderly person.
The United States Department of Health and Human Services reports that around one out of every 10 adults over the age of 60 experiences some sort of abuse.
In May of 2020, during the coronavirus pandemic, the Oregon Department of Human Services reported a drop in the number of elder abuse cases received.
If someone you know is in immediate danger, call 9-1-1. Non-emergency reports can be made to the State of Oregon by calling 1-855-503-SAFE (7233)
Multnomah County Adult Protective Services
Main Line: 503.988.4450
After Hours: 503.988.3646
#MCDA#
Contact: Brent Weisberg, Communications Director
Phone: 503.988.6567
Email: Brent.Weisberg@nullmcda.us