Elder Abuse

Elder Abuse
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In a continuing effort to protect elders, District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis has dedicated a special team of prosecutors, investigators and support staff to aggressively pursue criminals who prey upon the elderly.

The Elder Abuse Prosecution Team identifies cases and seeks justice for elderly persons who may be victimized by dishonest strangers, caregivers and family members.

As our population ages, elder abuse is becoming one of the fastest growing crimes in the nation. More than two million elderly Americans are victims of neglect or mistreatment every year. Those are the cases we know about. Experts estimate that for every case of elder abuse that comes to the attention of law enforcement, as many as 14 other cases go unreported.

The Elder Abuse Prosecution Unit was organized in 1996. Over the years, the unit has expanded to include five prosecutors and a six member support staff. In 2002, San Diego's internationally recognized Elder Abuse Prosecution Team handled 158 felony cases involving physical or financial elder abuse.

The District Attorney's Elder Abuse Prosecution Team offers these tips to protect yourself:

• Lock your doors and windows
• Identify who comes to the door before you open it. Ask strangers for identification.
• Make a list of your valuables (jewelry, antiques) and take photographs of the items.
• Keep your checkbook and additional checks in a safe place
• Do not keep large amounts of cash at home