For
Immediate Release:
June 14, 2019
County supports
World Elder Abuse Awareness Day
FREEHOLD, NJ – To mark World Elder
Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD), The Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders is
seeking to bring attention to older County residents and countless older adults
who experience elder abuse, financial exploitation and neglect.
“Elder abuse is a societal issue
and that is certainly growing as the world population begins to age,” said
Freeholder Lillian G. Burry, liaison to the Division of Consumer Affairs. “It
is so important to note that the various forms of emotional, financial,
physical and psychological abuse are violations of older peoples’ human
rights.”
The New Jersey Office of the
Attorney General, Office of the Insurance Fraud Prosecutor and New Jersey Elder
Protection Task Force recently collaborated together to host the WEAAD
Conference where the goal was to build and establish strong support for elders
in the State.
“The State and the County’s Division of Consumer Affairs
works tirelessly not only to investigate and mediate complaints, but also to
educate consumers of all ages to be watchful of unscrupulous practices,” said
Freeholder Burry. “On behalf of the Board of Chosen Freeholders, I would like
to alert the public that the elderly are prime victims of financial abuse in
our County, State and beyond. Elder
financial abuse is tough to combat, in part because it often goes unreported.”
According to the United Nations,
WEAAD was launched on June 15, 2006 to provide an opportunity for communities
around the world to promote a better understanding of abuse and neglect of the
elderly. WEAAD is a call-to-action for society’s individuals, organizations and
communities to educate each other on how to identify, address and prevent
abuse.
For more information about the Division of Consumer Affairs,
go to www.VisitMonmouth.com, call 732-431-7900 or email ConsumerAffairs@co.monmouth.nj.us. The office is
open weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
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