McLean County Times

With the adoption of Sen. Jason Barickman’s (R-Bloomington) Senate Resolution 284, the General Assembly has designated June 15 "Elder Abuse Awareness Day" in an effort to encourage Illinois residents to learn more about the issue.

“It’s awful to think how anyone could hurt and abuse any of our most vulnerable residents, but it is a reality for many older citizens,” Barickman said in a press release. “We need to raise awareness to help stop abuse and prevent it from happening again.”

According to the release, 5 million senior citizens die from elder abuse every year in the United States. The problem can be difficult to tackle, as it does not follow any socioeconomic or geographic trends, and many victims are reluctant to report abuse to law enforcement and social service agencies. Through "Elder Abuse Awareness Day," Barickman hopes to encourage Illinoisans to learn the signs of abuse, neglect and exploitation.

“Part of the fight to end the crisis of elder abuse is to make sure people know about the problem, so they can spot and report suspected abuse,” Barickman said in the release. “If you are aware of any elderly abuse or neglect, please contact your local authorities immediately.”