World Elder Abuse Awareness Day

Proclamation
By the Governor of Alabama
WHEREAS, Alabama’s seniors are valued members of society, and it is our collective responsibility to ensure they live safely and with dignity; and
WHEREAS, older adults and Alabamians with a disability are often targets for abuse, neglect and exploitation and such maltreatment is an ever-increasing problem in today’s society that crosses all socio-economic boundaries; and
WHEREAS, the Alabama Department of Human Resources received over 9,000 abuse, neglect, and exploitation referrals in FY 2016, representing a 12 percent increase; and
WHEREAS, the Alabama Department of Human Resources, the Alabama Department of Senior Services, the Office of the Attorney General and over 30 partner agencies of the Alabama Interagency Council for the Prevention of Elder Abuse are committed to the prevention of Elder Abuse; and
WHEREAS, Adult Protective Service of the Alabama Department of Human Resources is committed to the protection of our elder citizens through prevention assessments, investigation of reports of abuse, neglect, and exploitation and arrangement of services; and
WHEREAS, the Alabama Department of Senior Services is committed to promoting the independence and dignity of older adults through educating and informing seniors, and those who work with seniors, on how to identify elder abuse and the importance of reporting suspected abuse; and
WHEREAS, the Office of the Attorney General is committed to the enforcement of laws protecting seniors; and
WHEREAS, World Elder Abuse Awareness Day offers all Alabamians the opportunity to remember victims of elder abuse and their families, to promote the programs and organizations that serve them and to participate in community efforts to improve the safety and well-being of all people throughout our state:
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Kay Ivey, Governor of Alabama, do hereby proclaim June 15th, 2017, as
World Elder Abuse Awareness Day
in the State of Alabama.
Given Under My Hand and the Great Seal of the Office of the Governor at the State Capitol in the City of Montgomery on the 31st day of May
Kay Ivey
Governor