Coalition Announces Campaign To Combat Elder Abuse

ST. PAUL, (AP) - A coalition of prosecutors, law officers, lawmakers and others are launching a statewide campaign to help identify and fight abuse of the elderly.

The initiative is called Stop Abuse and Financial Exploitation of Elders in Minnesota, or MN S.A.F.E. Elders, for short.

It includes a video featuring the stories of Minnesota seniors who have been abused or exploited, as well as a website and mobile apps to help law enforcement identify potential abuse.

Anoka County Attorney Tony Palumbo says elder abuse must be addressed at the community level to ensure that all seniors are safe. He says this type of abuse is underreported, hard to spot, and even harder to prosecute.

Elder abuse includes physical, emotional and sexual abuse, as well as financial exploitation and neglect.