Senate Unanimously Approves Blumenthal, Collins Bipartisan Resolution Recognizing World Elder Abuse Awareness Day

Last night, the U.S. Senate unanimously approved a bipartisan resolution by U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and Susan Collins (R-Maine.), Member and Chair of the Senate Special Committee on Aging, respectively, recognizing June 15, 2015 as World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. The resolution calls attention to the problem of elder abuse around the nation, and honors all those that fight for justice for victims.

"The abuse of our nation's elders -- an unacceptable, unconscionable problem -- is too often overlooked and underreported," said Blumenthal. "This measure will increase awareness and recognize those that are working every day to help our nation's elders against these reprehensible crimes. Our elders have worked hard, accumulated savings, counted on security and are depending on us, trusting us, for their safety. The number in this age group will only grow within the next years and I thank my colleagues from both sides of the aisle for their unanimous support, as well as the President for proclaiming June 15 as World Elder Abuse Awareness Day."

"As Chairman of the Senate Aging Committee, our efforts have brought to light many situations in which seniors have been defrauded out of their hard-earned savings and even suffered physical harm," said Senator Collins. "Unfortunately, however, many of cases of elder abuse in the United States and around the world are never reported or discovered because the victim is too ashamed to report the abuse, particularly when it involves a family member. As a consequence, the true impact and incidence of this kind of abuse is still largely unknown. To remedy this problem and to raise awareness, organizations around the world and in my home state of Maine have taken action and continue to work tirelessly to raise awareness of elder abuse and to protect the rights of aging adults."

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