BILL NUMBER: ACR 71 INTRODUCED BILL TEXT INTRODUCED BY Assembly Member Dodd (Coauthor: Assembly Member Bloom) MAY 14, 2015 Relative to Elder and Vulnerable Adult Abuse Awareness Month. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST ACR 71, as introduced, Dodd. Elder and Vulnerable Adult Abuse Awareness Month. This measure would proclaim and acknowledge the month of June 2015 and every year thereafter as Elder and Vulnerable Adult Abuse Awareness Month. Fiscal committee: no. WHEREAS, Elder and vulnerable adult abuse is a serious and growing crisis in California; and WHEREAS, Not a day goes by without reports of horrific cases of abuse or exploitation of elder or vulnerable adults; and WHEREAS, Throughout the United States, 10,000 people a day are turning 65 years of age; and WHEREAS, One in ten Americans 60 years of age and older experience abuse each year; and WHEREAS, One in every eight individuals over 65 years of age is living with Alzheimer's disease and nearly one in two people with dementia experiences some form of abuse by others; and WHEREAS, Elder and vulnerable adults may be impacted by any of a constellation of physical, mental, pharmaceutical, or medical influences, any one of which could render them unable to protect themselves or self-advocate, to report to authorities when abuse occurs, or to testify against perpetrators; and WHEREAS, A 2009 National Institute of Justice study found that 11 percent of elders reported experiencing at least one form of mistreatment, including emotional, physical, sexual, or neglect, in the past year; and WHEREAS, Elder and vulnerable adult abuse may be physical, emotional, sexual, or fiduciary and consists of crimes that recognize no boundaries of economic, educational, or social status, gender, race, culture, religion, or geographic location; and WHEREAS, Subtle indicators that abuse may be occurring include bruises or pressure marks, unexplained withdrawal from normal activities, a change in alertness, unusual depression, sudden changes in financial situations, strained or tense relationships, or frequent arguments; and WHEREAS, Recognizing these signs is the first step toward the prevention of elder and vulnerable adult abuse; and WHEREAS, Elders who experience abuse or mistreatment face a greater risk of impacting the health system or impacting the social service system; and WHEREAS, The growing rate of elder abuse and vulnerable adult abuse exacts a heavy toll on public resources as elder financial abuse victims often become nursing home residents that are dependent upon Medi-Cal; and WHEREAS, Elder and dependent adult victims have a mortality rate three times that of the general public and are 300 percent more likely to die a premature death; and WHEREAS, The incidence of abuse and exploitation of the developmentally disabled population is shocking. Over 80 percent of women with developmental disabilities and over 30 percent of men with developmental disabilities are sexually abused at least once during their lifetime; and WHEREAS, Given that one in every 110 babies born today has a disorder on the autism spectrum, the rapid growth of special populations in need of enhanced protection will further challenge an overwhelmed patchwork of programs and services intended to protect vulnerable adult populations; and WHEREAS, Current estimates suggest that as few as one in 14 cases of elder and vulnerable adult abuse is reported, including fewer than one in 25 incidents of financial abuse, because the victims are ashamed, hopeless, intimidated, or afraid of the perpetrator; and WHEREAS, A comprehensive central data repository of all child abuse investigations has been in existence since 1965, but no similar repository exists for investigations of crimes against vulnerable, elderly, and other dependent adults; and WHEREAS, Even in 2015, with a rapidly expanding population of elderly adults and other adults with disabilities that render them vulnerable to predators, the State of California does not collect or maintain comprehensive data on abuse cases, reports, or investigations, thus inhibiting the government's capacity to be informed about existing trends, and to make informed decisions about the strategic use of existing resources, let alone improve the existing reporting system, enhancing protections, or lending law enforcement partners the tools necessary to secure justice; and WHEREAS, The lack of statewide elder and vulnerable adult abuse data prevents policymakers from measuring the extent of these crimes and tragedies; and WHEREAS, The lack of a statewide strategy that includes a single point of contact to report an incident of abuse contributes to the current state of underreporting, incomplete investigations, lack of resources, ambiguous jurisdiction, and incomplete data; and WHEREAS, The California Commission on Aging and the California Elder Justice Coalition convened an elder justice summit in 2013 during which 140 experts and advocates identified shortcomings in California's response to elder abuse and proposed promising solutions, including an Elder Justice Blue Ribbon Panel to focus on the problem; and WHEREAS, Elders and vulnerable adults have the right to live safely in the least restrictive environment, whether in their homes or health care facilities, and to enjoy an optimum quality of life while being protected from all forms of injustice; and WHEREAS, Private citizens and public agencies must work to combat crime and violence against elders and vulnerable adults, particularly in the face of continued funding reductions in vital services; and WHEREAS, Due to the ubiquitous nature of elder abuse, June 15 is recognized internationally as World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, first established in 2006, to raise awareness of elder and vulnerable adult abuse and to promote better understanding of the cultural, social, economic and demographic issues behind the growing incidence of elder and vulnerable adult abuse around the globe; and WHEREAS, All Californians are strongly encouraged to report suspected abuse of an elder or vulnerable adult by calling their local adult protective services agency, Long-Term Care Ombudsman, law enforcement, or emergency services agencies; now, therefore, be it Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate thereof concurring, That the Legislature proclaims and acknowledges the month of June 2015 and every year thereafter as Elder and Vulnerable Adult Abuse Awareness Month; and be it further Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.