Mickey Rooney Speaks to Senate About Elder Abuse Victims Act

I recently blogged about Mickey Rooney becoming a victim of elder abuse. On March 2, Rooney testified before the Senate Special Committee on Aging in support of the Elder Abuse Victims Act. He urged other seniors who may be victims to speak up rather than stay silent like he did for years, reminding them that they are not alone and should not be ashamed.  

As the American population ages, instances of elder abuse are increasing, and state Adult Protective Services programs are struggling to investigate, resolve, and prevent abuse on their own. A centralized federal effort to remedy the situation, such as the Elder Abuse Victims Act, could have a big impact on the quickly escalating problem.  Senator Herb Kohl (D-WI) says he is reintroducing the Elder Abuse Victims Act, which would establish an Office of Elder Justice within the Department of Justice.

Securities regulators in 22 states are also responding to the problem by expanding a program that will teach medical professionals how to discover victims of investment fraud.

See Joshua L. Weinstein, Mickey Rooney Tells Senate Panel He was Elder Abuse Victim, The Wrap, Mar. 2, 2011; Margaret Collins, Mickey Rooney Warns of Financial Abuse Against Seniors in Senate Hearing, Bloomberg, Mar. 2, 2011.