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Gaining Freedom: Legal Support for Victimization of People in Later Life

NCJ Number
216636
Date Published
2006
Length
91 pages
Annotation
This book informs advocates and professionals on the various legal options and community resources available to those victimized later in life.
Abstract
This booklet is divided into six sections on legal action and resources available for those individuals who are victimized later in life. The sections include: (1) legal causes of action-confinement, denial of access, emotional abuse, financial exploitation by consumer thieves, financial exploitation by caregivers/families, neglect, physical abuse, sexual abuse, stalking, property rights, and separation and divorce; (2) case law; (3) defining legal causes of criminal justice actions; (4) defining legal causes of civil justice actions; (5) how to initiate an action; and 6) advocacy and protection resources. When these situations, such as neglect, physical abuse, and financial exploitation occur, a crime has been committed and older victims may have grounds for legal recourse. Both criminal and civil actions may be warranted and taken. This booklet is an attempt to inform advocates and helping professionals about the legal options and community resources available to people in later life (older victims) who are experiencing victimization.