Alamance County has been committed to strengthening the community’s response to abuse in later life. Through funding from the Office on Violence Against Women (OVW), Alamance County has expanded training, collaboration, and services to better support older adults experiencing abuse.
In 2016, the Family Justice Center of Alamance County (FJC) received a three-year grant through the Enhanced Training and Services to End Abuse in Later Life Program. In 2019, the FJC was awarded a two-year continuation grant, allowing the work to grow and further strengthen community partnerships and services.
In 2024, the FJC was awarded another 4 year Office of Violence Against Women (OVW) grant under the Enhanced Training and Services to End Abuse in Later Life Program. With this grant, it was decided to develop the Elder Justice Project. The Elder Justice Project is an comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach to coordinate services to support those older than 50 who are victims of Abuse in Later Life. Abuse in later life includes victims aged 50 or older who have experienced abuse, neglect, exploitation, domestic violence, stalking and/or sexual assault. The project is dedicated to preventing and responding to abuse in later life through community training, direct services, and outreach efforts.
Community Training: Through a Train-the-Trainer approach, multidisciplinary teams received specialized instruction on abuse in later life and then brought that knowledge back to our communities. These teams provide training to law enforcement, justice system professionals, and service providers on recognizing and responding to the nexus between domestic violence, sexual assault, and elder abuse.
Direct Services: This project works to provide, enhance, and expand services for older survivors. These services help survivors access safety, support and resources that promote dignity and well-being.
Outreach and Community Collaboration: The Elder Justice Project strengthens collaborative community responses through outreach, public education, and the Elder Justice Coordinated Community Response (CCR) Committee. By Fostering collaboration among community partners, the project helps improve prevention efforts, service delivery, and outcomes for older adults.
This project was supported by Grant No. 15JOVW-24-GK-01592-ALLX awarded by the Office on Violence Against Women, U.S. Department of Justice. The opinions, findings, conclusions, and recommendations expressed in this publication / program / exhibition are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women.
The Elder Justice Coordinated Community Response (CCR) committee was developed under the 2016 OVW 3 year grant, Enhanced Training and Services to End Abuse in Later Life Program. The committee’s mission is to reduce abuse in later life including domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking exploitation and neglect by creating seamless and accessible systems to increase individual safety, promote justice, and hold offenders accountable. We achieve this through improved community education, training, coordination, and response.
The CCR is a monthly meeting of dedicated professionals who work with the elderly population. The meetings include discussion of service gaps, education, training needs, and awareness of Abuse in Later Life.
We invite community partners and interested professionals to join us for our monthly meeting. Meetings are held in person and on the second Thursday of each month from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
If you are interested in attending, please contact the Family Justice Center of Alamance County at 336-570-6019 for additional information and meeting details. We welcome your participation and look forward to connecting with you.
|
Elder Justice Project |
FY 24 |
FY 25 |
FY 26 |
|
Number of Family Justice Center clients 50+ served in person |
435 |
514 |
452 |
|
Number of Family Justice Center client 50+ visits |
737 |
878 |
681 |
|
Number of instances of financial support provided to victims 50+ |
53 |
36 |
26 |
|
Provide trainings, presentations, and participate in outreach events to train and reach out to area professionals, the community, and potential victims on elder abuse |
20 |
21 |
27 |
National Facts
1 in 10 older adults experience abuse
1 in 24 cases of elder abuse rise to the attention of authorities
Most abuse is committed by someone the victim knows
Community Needs Assessment Results
- Need for 24/7 services to ensure older adults have access to help whenever abuse occurs.
- Greater public awareness about abuse in later life and available support services.
- Enhanced education and training for both community members and professionals to recognize and respond to abuse.
- Improved access to resource information so older adults, caregivers, and families know where to turn for help.
- Stronger coordinated community response efforts to improve collaboration among agencies serving older adults.
- Awareness gaps and service barriers were identified by both older adults and professionals as factors that increase the risk of abuse in later life.
- Expanded and sustained funding is needed to address unmet needs, strengthen protections, and improve services for older adults in Alamance County.
Plan to Address Community Needs
- Provide 24/7 support through a crisis line and advocacy services for older adults experiencing abuse.
- Increase community awareness with education, outreach, and professional training.
- Offer emergency client assistance, including transportation, relocation, housing, medication, and food support. (based upon eligibility requirements)
- Develop accessible outreach materials in large print and plain language.
- Promote services through community events, media campaigns, and partnerships with local organizations.
- Strengthen referrals and collaboration through the Elder Justice Coordinated Community Response (CCR) Committee.
Elder Abuse reporting:
North Carolina law requires any person who has reasonable cause to believe that a disabled adult is being abused, neglected, or exploited to report it to the county Department of Social Services (DSS). You do not need proof—reasonable suspicion is enough for Adult Protective Services (APS) to assess the situation.
Contact Alamance County Department of Social Services if the person lives in Alamance County. Be prepared to share the person’s name and location, your concerns and what you observed, when the incident occurred, and any safety concerns. Call 911 if the person is in immediate danger or needs medical attention.
If the person lives in another county, contact that county’s Department of Social Services with the information stated previously.
Victims of Abuse in Later Life:
Many older adults experiencing abuse feel isolated, ashamed, or unsure where to turn for help. They may blame themselves, worry that no one will believe them, or feel pressured by others to remain silent. No one deserves to experience abuse, and support is available.
If you are concerned about someone being harmed, talk with them in a private and safe location. Offer support without blaming them and remember they may not choose to get help. They may be afraid of their abuser or depend on the abuser for help with their care. Encourage them to seek support from service providers that can help them with options and develop a plan for safety. Give them information about any of the following resources:
Family Justice Center of Alamance County (FJC.AlamanceCountyNC.gov)
Family Abuse Services of Alamance County (FamilyAbuseServices.org)