Oregon A.G. Urges Lawmakers to Authorize Special Prosecutor for Elder Abuse
From KTVZ.COM news in Oregon, a report that the state’s top prosecutor, joined by citizen groups, is calling for appointment (and funding) of a special prosecutor to pursue elder abuse cases:
“Ten organizations wrote letters or testified Monday before the Subcommittee on Public Safety of the Oregon Legislature’s Committee on Ways and Means in support of funding for the state’s first statewide Elder Abuse Resource Prosecutor. The position would be housed within the Oregon Department of Justice’s Criminal Division, and would increase Oregon’s capacity to stop elder financial and physical abuse by providing training, technical assistance and legal expertise to district attorneys, law enforcement and others who work with seniors.
If funded, Oregon would be the second state in the country with a statewide prosecutor devoted to elder abuse.
‘Oregon has specific laws that criminalize the abuse, neglect and exploitation of older adults. However, these cases can be difficult to prosecute. Many involve the victimization of older adults by family members or others with whom they have an ongoing relationship. Victims may also be slow to recognize and report abuse, and reluctant to cooperate with criminal justice professionals,’ said Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum.
Elders in Action, the Office of the Long-term Care Ombudsman, AARP, Legal Aid Services of Oregon, the Oregon State Bar, Alzheimer’s Association, the Oregon Department of Veteran Affairs, the Governor’s Commission on Senior Services, Campaign for Oregon’s Seniors & People with Disabilities, and the Residential Facilities Advisory Committee all voiced their support for the new position.”
If this position would be the “second” in the country, which state already has a special prosecutor for elder abuse?