June 19, 2008 — The U.S. population is aging and reports of elder abuse are increasing, according to Scott Santoro, senior program specialist for the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center. Speaking Thursday at the University of Virgin Islands St. Croix campus, he said abuse can take the form of neglect, physical or financial exploitation.
Santoro led a weeklong elder abuse trainer pilot program deploying information and strategies to more effectively recognize and investigate such cases.
"This training was the best I have ever attended," said Laveren Robles, acting director of homemaker's services Department of Human Services. "I'll share information with my staff in terms of what to look for." She said her bathing staff would be on the front line of noticing potential abuse.
The class focused on victim safety, being aware of and avoiding assumptions, recognizing abuser tactics and working collaboratively with other agencies.
The 20 participants were from the V.I. Police Department, the Department of Human Services and other local agencies and included investigators, prosecutors, probation officers, parole officers, victims' advocates, court staff, social and health workers.
The week started off with a domestic violence instructor-training program. Some of the topics covered included identifying the causes of domestic violence, power and control tactics used by the batterer and identifying barriers to women's safety.
"This is all a collaboration with different outside agencies that create a safety net for the abused," said Santoro.
Next week the program will be held on St. Thomas.
Elder abuse training was funded through a grant provided by the U.S. Department of Justice Office on Violence Against Women, partnering with the V.I. Police Department.
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