[United States Statutes at Large, Volume 130, 114th Congress, 2nd Session]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

 
Proclamation 9462 of June 15, 2016

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, 2016

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

Too often, elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation threaten the
livelihoods of older individuals and erode their extraordinary
potential. One in ten seniors in America experiences mistreatment or
abuse--including domestic and sexual violence--and because these
incidents are vastly underreported, only a limited number of victims are
able to get the help they need. Today, we join our international
partners in renewing our commitment to combat and raise awareness of
elder abuse, and in striving to ensure security and dignity for all
seniors.
Worldwide, millions of people--predominantly women--experience different
forms of elder abuse, including physical, emotional, and sexual abuse.
Theft, fraud, and other types of financial exploitation also affect
seniors across socioeconomic lines, and neglect and abandonment can
cause great harm to vulnerable older individuals. My Administration is
dedicated to addressing this serious problem by providing care to
survivors of abuse, transforming our Nation's criminal justice systems
to better understand elder abuse as a criminal issue, and increasing
public awareness of warning signs and prevention strategies.
Additionally, because the majority of elder abuse victims are women, we
are working to support women domestically and abroad and to combat
gender-based violence around the world.
One of the best measures of a country is how it treats its older
citizens. My Administration is devoted to strengthening Medicare,
Medicaid, the Older Americans Act, and Social Security. Together, these
programs have significantly reduced the rate of seniors living in
poverty, helped older Americans access health care and quality care
services, and allowed older Americans to remain independent as they age.
The Elder Justice Act, enacted as part of the Affordable Care Act, took
new steps to address elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation and
established an Elder Justice Coordinating Council through which Federal
agencies are working together to address elder abuse and neglect. And
our commitment to supporting survivors of all ages is reflected in the
Violence Against Women Act, which dedicates Federal funds to victim
service providers, law enforcement, and prosecutors working to respond
to domestic and sexual violence experienced by older adults.
Last year, I was proud to host the White House Conference on Aging to
identify ways we can improve the quality of life for older Americans and
enable them to live in retirement with dignity. Held once a decade, this
conference brought together older Americans, their families, caregivers,
and advocates to focus on key issue areas, including the im

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portance of elder justice. In addition to taking new steps to expand
protections against financial exploitation, assist victims of crimes,
and review the science of understanding and preventing abuse through
better screening tools, we have built on many of the Federal efforts
already underway and are working to support aging Americans for decades
to come.
On World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, let us resolve to give all people
the tools and support they need to live out their golden years in peace
and security. Let us fight cruelty against seniors wherever it exists,
and together, let us stamp out all forms of elder abuse--here at home
and across the globe.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of
America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and
the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim June 15, 2016, as
World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. I call upon all Americans to observe
this day by learning the signs of elder abuse, neglect, and
exploitation, and by raising awareness about this important public
health issue.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this fifteenth day of
June, in the year of our Lord two thousand sixteen, and of the
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and
fortieth.
BARACK OBAMA