Financial abuse
| Pages | 48-48 |
| Published date | 01 February 2002 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/14668203200200008 |
| Date | 01 February 2002 |
| Author | Brian Williams |
| Subject Matter | Health & social care,Sociology |
48 © Pavilion Publishing (Brighton) Limited The Journal of Adult Protection Volume 4 Issue 1 • February 2002
British websites, on the whole, tend to explore financial abuse as
a subsection of elder abuse generally, and it must be
acknowledged that financial abuse is not restricted to older
people, as all vulnerable people are potentially at risk from this
form of abuse. The subject tends to be explored in fairly limited
detail, with the main emphasis being on physical and emotional
abuse of older people. A website which gives a good definition of
elder abuse, including financial abuse, and looks at relevant
legislation, research, and sources of help for victims and carers is
http://freespace.virgin.net/man.web/aea/what.htm
The Alzheimer’s Society campaigns for the prevention of
physical and financial mistreatment of people, both in care
homes by paid staff, and by carers in the community. It gives a
useful definition of elder abuse, and suggests methods of
prevention: www.alzheimers.org.uk/society/p_mistreatment.html
The Government’s publication of No Secrets in March 2000
(www.doh.gov.uk/scg/nosecrets/htm) directed social services
departments to lead the way in developing adult protection
services and, as a result, a number of local authorities have
recently updated their websites to include financial and elder
abuse, where definitions of financial and elder abuse are given,
along with advice for older people and their carers about where
to go for help if abuse is suspected. A particularly good site is
that of Knowsley Action for Older People
(www.knowsley.gov.uk/social/older_people/strategy/elde), which
gives a list of excellent local links, and a link back to the No
Secrets document. Other similar websites include
www.eastsussexcc.gov.uk/soc/b_services/adult_protection and
www.westberks.gov.uk/westberkshire/news.nsf/280e7f69b
American websites tend to be far more specific in relation to
financial abuse, and give practical advice to victims. A good example
of this is Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services
(www.dhfs.state.wi.us/Aging/Age_News/NO111/finabus.htm),
which gives a number of examples of financial abuse. The
department is working with the Department of Justice to stop such
abuse happening. Other informative American websites include
Oxford Seniors Advisory Council
(www.ocl.net/projects/osac/financia.htm) and Prevent Elder Abuse
(www.preventelderabuse.org/elderabuse/fin_abuse.html).
Future columns will consider websites covering professional
regulation and anti-discriminatory practice in relation to adult
protection. Please send recommendations to Brian Williams at
bwilliam@dmu.ac.uk
Brian Williams
Community and Criminal Justice Studies Unit,
De Montfort University, Leicester
Financial abuse
Brian Williams presents
the first in a new series
of regular columns on
useful websites
Usefulwebsites
To continue reading
Request your trial