Policy Development
Policy Development
CJA/463
January 9, 2012
Policy Development Domestic Violence and Elderly Abuse has grown rapidly across the United States. “The American Medical Association defines domestic violence or ‘intimate partner abuse’ as the physical, sexual, and/or psychological abuse to an individual perpetrated by a current or former intimate partner” (Lawrence, 2002, p. 1). Elderly Abuse is another serious problem that Americans are facing daily. Elderly abuse has a range of abusive situations; financially, emotionally, physically, and abuse from a caregiver or family member. This paper will focus on Domestic Violence and Elderly Abuse Policy. Including statistics, facts, and the public opinion on historical information, this paper will support the policy proposition. Adding in information from political and judicial viewpoints will help to implement the policy recommendations. Allowing opinions from the many stakeholders shows the greater impact each position carries with criminal justice policies, procedures, and the law.
Relevant Statistics and Facts When breaking down the numbers of elderly abuse in the United States, one must look at the entire population. An estimation of 35 million people were residing in the United States in 2000. Of those 35 million people, 13% were 65 years or older. Roughly 2% of that 35 million was 85 years or older (Policy Positions on the Prosecution of Elder Abuse, Neglect, and Financial Exploitation, 2003). Growing older means an individual’s senses become weaker so this causes deterioration with the abilities for fighting off criminals who physically attack the elderly. Elderly people will fall prey to abuse because they have become easy targets for crime. Criminals will physically, mentally, emotionally, and financially abuse the elderly because of the easy advantages the criminals carry over the elderly. The numbers for Domestic Violence in the United
CJA/463
January 9, 2012
Policy Development Domestic Violence and Elderly Abuse has grown rapidly across the United States. “The American Medical Association defines domestic violence or ‘intimate partner abuse’ as the physical, sexual, and/or psychological abuse to an individual perpetrated by a current or former intimate partner” (Lawrence, 2002, p. 1). Elderly Abuse is another serious problem that Americans are facing daily. Elderly abuse has a range of abusive situations; financially, emotionally, physically, and abuse from a caregiver or family member. This paper will focus on Domestic Violence and Elderly Abuse Policy. Including statistics, facts, and the public opinion on historical information, this paper will support the policy proposition. Adding in information from political and judicial viewpoints will help to implement the policy recommendations. Allowing opinions from the many stakeholders shows the greater impact each position carries with criminal justice policies, procedures, and the law.
Relevant Statistics and Facts When breaking down the numbers of elderly abuse in the United States, one must look at the entire population. An estimation of 35 million people were residing in the United States in 2000. Of those 35 million people, 13% were 65 years or older. Roughly 2% of that 35 million was 85 years or older (Policy Positions on the Prosecution of Elder Abuse, Neglect, and Financial Exploitation, 2003). Growing older means an individual’s senses become weaker so this causes deterioration with the abilities for fighting off criminals who physically attack the elderly. Elderly people will fall prey to abuse because they have become easy targets for crime. Criminals will physically, mentally, emotionally, and financially abuse the elderly because of the easy advantages the criminals carry over the elderly. The numbers for Domestic Violence in the United
References: Family Violence. (n/a). Retrieved Janury 8, 2012, from Tarrant County Criminal District Attorney 's Office: http://www.tarrantda.com/?page_id=124 Fund, F Honoring Texas Victims: Family Violnce Fatalities in 2010. (2011). Retrieved January 6, 2012, from Texas Council on Family Violence: http://www.tcfv.org/pdf/Honoring-Texas-Victims.pdf Illich, M., & Byrne, T Internet Resources. (2009). Retrieved January 7, 2012, from domesticviolence.org: http://www.domesticviolence.org/internet-resources/ Lawrence, S Melinda Smith, M., & Jeanne Segal, P. (2011, December). Domestic Violence and Abuse. Retrieved January 7, 2012, from Helpguide.org: http://helpguide.org/mental/domestic_violence_abuse_types_signs_causes_effects.htm Mission Statement National Policy Summit . (2001). The National Center on Elder Abuse (pp. 79-112). Washington, D.C.: The National Association of State Units on Aging. Welcome to the DFPS internet reporting website. (n/a). Retrieved Janury 8, 2012, from Texas Department of Family and Protective Services: https://www.txabusehotline.org/Login/Default.asp