NDAA's elder abuse program.

• Author: Baldwin, Erin G.
• Position: National District Attorneys Ass'n

Due to the difficult issues that arise in elder abuse cases, the National District Attorneys Association [NDAA] endorses, whenever practical, the creation of special elder abuse units within the prosecutor's office or the designation of a specially trained prosecutor to handle elder abuse cases. When the establishment of a designated elder abuse unit is not feasible, prosecutors should still receive training on an individual basis in the identification, investigation, and prosecution of elder abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation.... As a result of the many types of crimes against elders that occur, the complexity of many of these crimes, and the unique needs of elder abuse victims, NDAA recognizes that there must be specialized training for prosecutors in dealing with matters of elder abuse.... NDAA endorses the increased allocation of resources and additional funding for the specialized training of prosecutors in the area of elder abuse, neglect and exploitation.... Given the numerous agencies and individuals that are involved with elders on a daily basis, NDAA recognizes that a multidisciplinary approach to prosecuting elder abuse cases should be considered. Individuals and agencies from the medical and financial fields, public health, service providers and law enforcement should be involved, as appropriate, in a team effort to investigate, prevent, and prosecute elder abuse crimes. In order for the multidisciplinary approach to be successful, prosecutors must take a leadership role in these teams.

--National District Attorneys Association Policy Positions on the Prosecution of Elder Abuse, Neglect, and Financial Exploitation (Adopted March 22, 2003, by the Board of Directors in New Orleans, Louisiana)

NDAA's ELDER ABUSE PROGRAM was founded in 2005 in response to a recognized need for special resources for prosecutors on issues relating to elder abuse and victims of crimes who have disabilities. Through a cooperative agreement with the Office on Violence Against Women, U.S. Department of Justice (OVW), under OVW's Enhanced Training and Services to End Violence Against and Abuse of Women Later in Life Program (formerly known as the Training Grants to Stop Abuse and Sexual Assault Against Older Individuals or Individuals with Disabilities program), OVW and NDAA work cooperatively to ensure excellence in training and technical assistance for elder abuse prosecutors. OVW's goals for this program are to provide:

* elder abuse training to...