Consider this quote:
When you read this, what comes to mind? Is it more government aid programs? Is it funding for local community centers and
care facilities?
In my case, that quote prompted me to think more
about how we, as a society and as individuals, can step up and create a world
where our children and our elderly are protected and safe.
I think first we need to recognize the types of
abuse that victimize our vulnerable. There are two basic categories of
abuse:
·
Domestic – abuse by a family member or
caregiver
·
Institutional – abuse within a facility such
as schools, day care centers, nursing homes, and assisted living facilities
The abuse in each of these cases can cover
physical abuse, sexual abuse, neglect, and abandonment.
During my research, I was amazed to
discover that the first case of documented and prosecuted child abuse was
in 1874. The case came to be known
as the “Case of Mary Ellen”. The outrage
over this case actually prompted one of the first organized efforts against
child mistreatment.
Since then, there have been efforts to enact laws and regulations to protect our nation's children.
Since then, there have been efforts to enact laws and regulations to protect our nation's children.
In 1909, President Theodore
Roosevelt convened a meeting of the White House Conference on Child Dependency
and started the first publicly funded volunteer organization to establish standards in
child care. By 1926, 18 states had adopted some type of child welfare board to
oversee the treatment of children.
More recently, the “Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act” (July 27, 2006) created
a National Sex Offender Registry and a “tier system” to categorize them
depending upon the level of their crime.
Specifically concerning elder abuse, more state
laws govern than federal ones. In 1992,
the Federal government organized the Vulnerable
Elder Rights Protection Program. This program does not support a direct
Federal role, but it does promote state generated legislation and provides
funding programs to assist the elderly.
All 50 states, as well as the District of
Columbia, have enacted legislation that authorizes Adult Protective Services (APS) to act in cases of elder
abuse. Many states limit these laws to
abused adults that also have a disability as defined by that state’s law,
although some states have broadened this to include those elderly not labeled as
“disabled”.
Probably the most promising program to help our
abused elderly is the Long Term Care
Ombudsman Program (LTCOP). This
program advocates on behalf of Long Term Care residents who are victims of
abuse or neglect. In many states the
Ombudsman, upon discovery of the abuse, is authorized to make a referral to the
state’s APS program requesting an investigation. However, some states allow the LTCOP to
initiate that investigation themselves.
While the presence of these laws and programs
are unquestionably valuable, I believe we still have a long way to go. We
need to make the reporting and prosecution of the abuse more consistent and
effective.
I
believe this “under reporting” of abuse has much to do with the “secrecy”
abusers are able to wield. It is one of
the strongest tools an abuser has to continue in the abuse.
There is also the “shame” of the abuse, both to the victim
and, in many cases, their family. The
stigma we have placed on this horrific act allows many instances to continue to
go unreported.
So where do we go from here?
I believe there are definite steps we can take to not just “talk the
talk” but “walk the walk”.
What
Can We Do?
·
Prevent
the Abuse – We need to employ our best tool and take a “proactive”
approach. Without fail, we need to require
all people who come in contact with our children and our elderly to undergo a
Background Check. I would also suggest
this be repeated every 2 years in order to prevent those committing more recent
crimes from slipping through the cracks.
This should not be at the discretion of each institution, but national
law. Consistency is the key here.
·
“Unveil”
the Abuse – We need to allow the victims, especially our children and
elderly, to tell their story with the confidence that they will be believed,
and provide “safe havens” for them to do so.
·
Personally
Recognize the Abuse - We all need to become better at “listening”
and better at “observing” when it comes to our children and elderly. We need to listen, not only with our ears,
but with that inner voice that tells us that something is “not quite right”. We also need to observe. Do you see any sudden changes in behavior or physical
well being? If so, have the courage and
interest to “step up”.
·
Report
the Abuse – We need institutions and individuals who are willing to
“Speak Up” and report the abuse. We also
need to be able to have definite consequences for those who do not.
·
Equally
Prosecute the Abuse – We need to hold everyone accountable for
their actions, even the most powerful.
There should be no “covering up” for anyone; be it friend, relative, or
well-known “respected” figure.
·
Permit Greater
Prosecution of “Past Abuse” – We need to broaden the Statute of
Limitations on abuse. The stigma and
shame surrounding abuse keep many from pursuing prosecution. Victims need to know that the abuse in the
past can still be brought to light and prosecuted.
Let’s take the words of Ronald Reagan to heart and remember that the "government" he spoke of is Us. We need to stand behind our children and
our elderly and shout out “Enough is Enough”, and have the integrity to follow
through!
Authored by
Authored by
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