Each year, over 225,000 older Californians are victims of abuse, but the truly frightening thing is that for every reported case, there are another four cases of elder abuse that go unreported, pointed out Assemblymember Joe Coto of San Jose.

"This means that we have nearly a million cases of elder abuse in California. This sad statistic is a reality despite the fact that the Legislature has worked to develop programs and procedures that give local Social Services Departments and the Department of Justice the tools and resources to investigate allegations of adult abuse and provide services to the victims to stop or alleviate the mistreatment," Coto stated.

The effort includes authorizing the California Attorney General's Office to develop and implement a statewide public education campaign. The campaign, "Face It -- It's a Crime," is designed to educate Californians about the prevalence and impact of elder and dependent abuse, how to report abuse, and the resources available to elder and dependent adults, their families and caregivers. The mistreatment may include physical abuse, sexual assault, neglect of essential health or personal needs and the exploitation of the victim's financial resources and income.

"Although the abuse of vulnerable adults is not a new phenomenon, it has long been kept quiet and has not had the public attention that abuse of children has had," Coto contended. The Assemblymember went on to note that some research indicates that abuse of vulnerable adults is as prevalent as the abuse of children; however, adult abuse is vastly underreported.

"Adults who are vulnerable to mistreatment are frequently isolated and less likely to have their plight discovered by an interested outsider. Too many who are victimized go unreported and unaided," Coto maintained.

May has been designated as Older Americans Month, a time when the Department of Social Services, in collaboration with the Departments of Aging and Health Services, the Congress of California Seniors, the American Association of Retired Persons and the Attorney General's Office, seeks to highlight the problem of elderly and dependent adult abuse to the attention of all Californians.

Victims of adult abuse come from all income levels, races and ethnic backgrounds. Of the reports received last year, Coto said that a number included residents of the 23rd Assembly District.

For more information on California's campaign to end elder abuse or a copy of the Attorney General's "Citizen Guide on to how to Prevent Elder Abuse," contact Coto's staff at 408.277.1220 or by e-mail at: Assemblymember Coto at assemblymember.coto@assembly.ca.gov," Coto concluded.

Report suspected adult abuse to the local Department of Social Services or to the State 24-hour, toll-free hotline at 1-888-436-3600.