Photo by Mary Ellen Mark
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Where to Turn
By Christina Ianzito, January & February 2006
Domestic violence among older people is underreported in part because the sufferers don’t know where to seek help. The following resources can steer victims or their concerned loved ones toward the appropriate local services or perhaps lend a sympathetic ear.
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Hot Lines
National Domestic Violence Hotline
This toll-free number, run by the Texas Council on Family Violence, offers crisis intervention and refers victims—or friends or family of victims—to adult protective-services organizations across the country. The line, which gets approximately 16,000 calls a month, is anonymous, confidential, and accessible 24 hours a day—with translators available for more than 140 languages (800-799-SAFE, or 800-799-7233; TTY 800-787-3224).
Domestic Abuse Helpline for Men
Based in Harmony, Maine, this free service was started five years ago by Jan Brown, who had seen some male friends suffer domestic abuse. She now gets an estimated 400 calls a month, many from men who, Brown says, sometimes "just want somebody to talk to and believe them." She'll then refer them to help nearby, first checking to make sure the assistance is sympathetic to male victims (888-7-HELPLINE, or 888-743-5754).
Organizations
American Society of Adult Abuse Professionals and Survivors (ASAAPS)
This Wisconsin-based group is concerned with protecting both the elderly and the disabled, with sensitivity toward sufferers of both genders. It offers an online monthly column called It Takes a Village, a practical discussion of how concerned people can help neighbors and friends (414-540-6456).
National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA)
The federally funded NCEA in Washington, D.C., has access to a vast store of information on elder abuse. Call for a free brochure, "Fifteen Questions & Answers on Elder Abuse" (202-898-2586).
National Clearinghouse on Abuse in Later Life (NCALL)
A project of the Wisconsin Coalition Against Domestic Violence, the NCALL's Domestic Abuse in Later Life Resource Directory lists support groups, adult protective-services offices, and shelters by state. For a copy, contact 608-255-0539 or download it.
National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV)
The NCADV website has a section called Getting Help for those in an abusive relationship; it offers a safety plan, advice about online privacy (some abusers will try to track their spouse's/partner's activities), how to hire an attorney, and more (303-839-1852).
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