Contact: Attorney Andrea Gage-Michaels
920-432-4645 (work)
920-212-5269 (cell)
alg@legalaction.org
Milwaukee–The Elder Rights Project (ERP) is hosting outreach presentations and participating in community discussions throughout the state, including an event with Wisconsin Attorney General Brad Schimel, leading up to World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, which lands on June 15.
ERP, a joint collaboration of Legal Action of Wisconsin and Wisconsin Judicare, helps victims of crime who are age 60 and over with the civil legal needs that result from their victimization. In 2017, ERP Staff at Legal Action served 1,005 Elder Abuse Victims in 1,079 Cases. Through their in-depth work with clients, ERP staff learned that many elderly crime victims had been suffering in silence because they were either too embarrassed or ashamed of what was happening to them. Every year, World Elder Abuse Awareness Day provides advocates with an important opportunity to let elders know they are not alone.
“Abusers can be very adept at convincing victims they are to blame for the legal problems they’re facing as a result of the abuse,” said ERP Director Nicole Zimmer. “We break through that isolation and provide them with the representation they need in court to make the transition from victim to survivor.”
The legal problems that stem from elder abuse can be severe. In addition to finding themselves facing eviction or foreclosure as a result of the crimes committed against them, victims often need help in obtaining injunctions against their abusers, and working to recoup money, property or other assets that were stolen by abusers through exploitation or identity theft.
To mark World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, ERP staff will participate in the following events:
2018 World Elder Abuse Awareness Day Event featuring AG Brad Schimel
June 13
2-3 p.m.
Thompson Center on Lourdes
2331 E. Lourdes Dr., Appleton
Senior Fest
June 14
8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Chilton High School
530 W. Main St., Chilton
Complimentary Lunch & Learn about Elder Financial Abuse
Hosted by Adult Protective Services Unit of Aging & Disability Resource Center of
Waukesha County
June 15
11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
1120 Baxter St., Waukesha
Jackson County World Elder Abuse Awareness Day
June 15
Lunda Community Center
405 State Hwy 54, Black River Falls
World Elder Abuse Awareness Day
Financial Exploitation Educational Seminar
ADRC of Door County
June 15
12:30-1 p.m.
916 N. 14th Ave, Sturgeon Bay
Potential clients are encouraged to call the statewide toll-free Elder Abuse Intake Line at 844-614-5468.
