Research Bulletin

              The rise in reported elder abuse: A
review of state and national data
By Michelle Repp, ICJIA Research Analyst
and Erica Hughes, ICJIA Research Analyst
Vol. 4, No. 1 August 2005
Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority
Research Bulletin
The number of reported elder
abuse cases in Illinois
increased 85 percent
between state fiscal years
1993 and 2003, according to
the Department on Aging.
While reports of elder
abuse have steadily
increased across the
state in the last decade, a true
understanding of the extent and
nature of crimes against the
elderly is problematic. Elder
abuse often goes unreported.
Many senior citizens are socially
isolated and do not know where
to seek help. Others fear retalia-tion,
feel ashamed, or are kept
from reporting the abuse. Some
are afraid that if they report
abuse at the hands of a
caregiver, they will be institu-tionalized.
1
Analysis of elder abuse is
further complicated by the
manner in which the crime is
reported in Illinois. The limited
list of mandated reporters may
mask the actual number of
abuse cases that occur.
This Research Bulletin is the first in a series of Author-ity
publications on the elderly and the criminal justice
system. It examines the local and national problem of
elder abuse with data obtained from the Illinois
Department on Aging, the Long-Term Care Ombuds-man
Program, and a study commissioned by the
National Center on Elder Abuse.
Elder abuse in Illinois
The Illinois Elder Abuse and Neglect Act became law
in 1988 and established the Elder Abuse and Neglect
Program under the direction of the Illinois Department
on Aging.2 This statewide program was created to
respond to reports of alleged elder abuse, neglect, and
exploitation committed against Illinoisans ages 60 and
older, and to assist victims in abusive situations.3 The
Elder Abuse and Neglect Program tracks reported
cases of elder abuse including:
Rod R. Blagojevich, Governor
Sheldon Sorosky, Chairman
Lori G. Levin, Executive Director
Research Bulletins are published periodically by the Illinois
Criminal Justice Information Authority. They focus on
research conducted by or for the Authority on a topic of
interest to Illinois criminal justice professionals and
policymakers.
This project was supported by Grant # 02-DB-MU-0017,
awarded to the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority
by the Bureau of Justice Assistance, Office of Justice
Programs, U.S. Department of Justice. Points of view in this
document do not necessarily represent the official position
or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.
For more information about this or other publications from
the Authority, please contact the Authority’s Criminal
Justice Information Clearinghouse at 312-793-8550, or visit
our website at www.icjia.state.il.us
Printed by authority of the State of Illinois, August 2005.