Recognizing June 15, 2018 as World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, and further recognizing June 12, 2018, as Elder Abuse Awareness Day in the City of Philadelphia.

WHEREAS, The United Nations General Assembly in Resolution 66/127, designated June 15th as World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. World Elder Abuse Day represents the one day in the year when the entire world voices its opposition to the abuse and suffering inflicted to some of our older generations; and

WHEREAS, Virtually all countries expect to see substantial growth in the number of older persons between 2015 and 2030, and occurrences of elder abuse can be expected to grow with it; and

WHEREAS, According to national surveys, elder abuse remains one of the least investigated types of violence, and one of the least addressed in national action plans; and

WHEREAS, Elder abuse is a global social issue which affects the health and human rights of millions of older persons around the world, and an issue which deserves the attention of the international and local Philadelphia Community; and

WHEREAS, Elder abuse can be defined as "a single, or repeated act, or lack of appropriate action, occurring within any relationship where there is an expectation of trust, which causes harm or distress to an older person.” Elder abuse can take various forms, such as physical, psychological or emotional, sexual, and financial abuse. It can also be the result of intentional or unintentional neglect; and

WHEREAS, Each year an estimated 5 million older Americans are abused, neglected, or exploited and the direct medical costs of injuries and care related to elder abuse exceed $5 billion a year in the U.S.; and

WHEREAS, Older Americans lose an estimated $2.9 billion or more annually due to elder financial abuse and exploitation; and

WHEREAS, Of Philadelphia’s population of 1.5 million people, 264,970 (17%) are over the age of 60, and 47,969 (18%) of older Philadelphians live at or below the federal poverty level. Older Adult Protective Services in Philadelphia investigates close to 3,000 reports of suspected abuse, neglect and financial exploitation each year; and

WHEREAS, Elder Abuse Awareness Day will highlight a day in the year where Philadelphia voices its opposition to the abuse, neglect, and exploitation of older Philadelphians; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That it hereby recognizes June 15, 2018 as World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, and further recognizes June 12, 2018, as Elder Abuse Awareness Day in the City of Philadelphia.

FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to the Elder Justice Center of the First Judicial District as evidence of the sincere admiration and respect of this legislative body.

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