NCJ Number
128032
Date Published
1990
Length
27 pages
Annotation
Since 1980 nearly every State has enacted legislation to respond to crimes against the elderly including elder abuse, exploitation, and victimization through consumer fraud and other offenses.
Abstract
In many ways, the movement to address crime against the elderly mimics that of child protection as states have become increasingly aware of the need to protect those members of society who are least able to protect themselves. In fact, adult protection legislation has borrowed heavily from child protection laws. However, definitions of abuse, settings where it occurs, and penalties imposed on the perpetrators vary considerably. In addition, states have addressed the problem in consumer fraud against the elderly mostly with language regarding financial exploitation in adult abuse statutes or general State laws against consumer fraud. Finally, an area of emerging interest and activity in State legislatures is that of board-and-care homes and the potential for abuse due to loose regulations. Charts, maps, and appended lists of statutes