The Elder Abuse Response Team Victims of Crime Awareness Week Federal Symposium A/Sgt. Graeme Smiley Calgary Police Service Domestic Conflict Unit April 7, 2014 Elder Abuse Resource Line: (403)705-3250
Elder Abuse Resource Line: (403)705-3250
Domestic Conflict Unit HomeFront Staff Sergeant Intake Risk Detective Assessors (2) Internal Investigations Sergeant Sergeant Sergeant Sergeant Domestic Conflict Habitual Offender Elder Abuse Team Investigative Team Response Team Management & Enforcement Team 8 Partnerships 2 Partnerships 4 Partnerships of: of: of: 1 Team of: 1 Constable 1 Constable 2 Constables 4 Constables 1 Social Worker 1 Social Worker (Partnership with (Partnership with Closer to Home and Calgary Family Constable HomeFront) Services and The Domestic Court Liaison Kerby Centre)
Calgary Police Service Crime Prevention & Reduction Continuum Crime Reduction, Crime Prevention & Early Intervention & Enforcement Education Treatment Success is measured through a reduction in domestic calls for service and domestic violence.
• Action Group on Elder Abuse (AGEA). • A gap in the Coordinated Community Response to Elder Abuse. • AGEA Members… – Calgary Police Service (law enforcement) – Calgary Family Services (social work) – The Kerby Centre (shelter, resource line) • … come together to form partnership. 3-year pilot program beginning in 2011. Elder Abuse Resource Line: (403)705-3250
• For the purposes of file assignment, EART defines Elder Abuse as follows: – Victim is over 65. – Victim resides in the City of Calgary. – The alleged abuser is in a trusting relationship with the victim. – Suspected that a criminal offence has occurred or is occurring. Elder Abuse Resource Line: (403)705-3250
• 3 Full time Police Officers • 2 Full time Social Workers • 1 Intake Coordinator (Kerby Centre) • 1 Part Time Nurse • 1 Part time Community Development Worker Elder Abuse Resource Line: (403)705-3250
• In the Coordinated Community Response to Elder Abuse … • Investigative response – RESPONSE Team – Criminal justice, victim safety planning, victim & offender management, civil law referral, social services. • Continuity of service and support for client. • Resource to other Professionals. • Increased awareness of Elder Abuse as an important issue. Elder Abuse Resource Line: (403)705-3250
• EART opened 135 cases of elder abuse in 2013. Over 400 cases have been opened since the beginning of the pilot. • Types of abuse investigated include neglect, physical violence, financial, verbal/emotional, medication, sexual. • Charges: Assault, threats, extortion, criminal harassment, fraud, theft, breaches of court ordered conditions. – Note: Financial abuse pervasive across all forms of elder abuse. Elder Abuse Resource Line: (403)705-3250
• Victim’s Mental Capacity – Current & Historic – Signing of Documents, Statements and Testimony • Consent. • Recanting/Reconsidering – The “Open Door”. • Family Affair - Lack of independent witnesses. • Civil or Criminal? • Lack of Case Law Elder Abuse Resource Line: (403)705-3250
Social Work Role • Adjustment counseling • Referrals to community partners and agencies • Court orientation, accompaniment to court, updates Family/Caregiver Education • • Risk Assessment • Offender Management Elder Abuse Resource Line: (403)705-3250
Referral Sources • Home Care • The Way-In Network • Calgary Seniors Resource Society City of Calgary Programs – City Link • • Alberta Health Services • Mental Health Community Supports • Legal Aid/Legal Guidance – Elder Law Clinics • Office of the Public Guardian and Trustee The Kerby Centre • • Ethno Cultural Community Organizations Elder Abuse Resource Line: (403)705-3250
Case Example • 80 year old sponsored immigrant living with dementia. • Allegations of neglect, verbal, mental, emotional, and physical abuse. • Elements of caregiver burnout, family discord, substance abuse, and loss of employment by the offenders. Elder Abuse Resource Line: (403)705-3250
Intervention • Meeting with Home Care and the family doctor. Strategizing a care plan to assist client. • Joint collaboration between EART and Chinese Elderly Citizens Association of Calgary. • Hospitalization. • Resource counseling for client to seek financial benefits. Elder Abuse Resource Line: (403)705-3250
Intervention • Family education on implications of dementia, and offender management. • Transition to a long term care placement. • Guardianship & Trusteeship (Public Guardian/Trustee). Elder Abuse Resource Line: (403)705-3250
Victim Assistance Death/Trauma – unique point of contact/access: • – Possible gateway to underlying issues/dependency. – Police Report may only emphasize the at-hand event. – Suicide rate proportionately higher amongst older adults. • Typical Elder Abuse File: – Adult relative residing with older adult(s). – Adult relative struggling with mental health, substance abuse, criminal justice system, broken family. – Abuse minimized/under-reported. • Court Support Elder Abuse Resource Line: (403)705-3250
We All Have a Role • “FVIR +”: FVIR = Family Violence Investigation Report • – How often are you seeing your doctor? – Who is your doctor? – How do you get/renew your medications? – Do you have anyone visiting the home to assist you? • E.g. Home Care, Social Work, Faith leaders, Friends – How do the chores get done? • Cleaning, Groceries, Self Care – What’s your worst fear now? Elder Abuse Resource Line: (403)705-3250
Diverse Communities • “Not in my community…” • “In my community, we respect our elders…” Elder Abuse Resource Line: (403)705-3250
Thank You A/Sgt. Graeme Smiley Calgary Police Service Domestic Conflict Unit Elder Abuse Response Team Tel. (403) 428-2245 Cell. (403) 703-7909 gsmiley@calgarypolice.ca Elder Abuse Resource Line: (403)705-3250
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