South Dakotans Asked to Recognize Elder Abuse Awareness Day 
PIERRE, S.D.- Attorney General Marty Jackley is asking South Dakotans to recognize World Elder Abuse Awareness Day on Wednesday, June 15, 2016. 
“Elder abuse happens far too often to our loved ones across South Dakota and the nation,” said Jackley. “Last summer the South Dakota Elder Abuse Task Force worked tirelessly to advocate for senior rights and to find ways to better protect them from financial exploitation and physical abuse. The Task Force strived to provide our seniors and their loved ones with a place to go for help, and that place is now the Attorney General’s Office with its elder abuse subdivision.”

As a part of Elder Abuse Awareness Day, Jackley recognizes the Legislature’s creation of two new positions to combat elder abuse and financial exploitation. The positions were created based on the recommendations of the Elder Abuse Task Force to the South Dakota Legislature during the legislative session earlier this year. The positions include a prosecutor and an investigator. As part of the program, public outreach to senior centers, assisted living centers, senior clubs, civic organizations and other locations will be used to help seniors better protect themselves and provide them with the tools to recognize and report abuse. 

For more information on Elder Abuse and Financial Exploitation please visit the South Dakota Attorney General’s website at http://atg.sd.gov/Seniors/Abuse.aspx. If you are interested in a seminar presentation in your area, please contact the Office of South Dakota Attorney General at (605) 773-3215. 

The International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse and the World Health Organization at the United Nations began dedicating this annual event in June 15, 2006.