TALLAHASSEE, FL (WTXL) - Monday was "World Elder Abuse Awareness Day" and several local organizations held an event to help educate the community on how to report and prevent elder abuse.
It's estimated that for every one in 10 people that have experienced elder abuse, less than half of those cases are actually reported.
The Florida Department of Children and Families says the abuse is mostly committed by someone who the elder trusts or depends on, like a family member, friend or caregiver.
"It is a super important topic. Not a lot of people like talking about it," said Laura Copeland with the Agency on Aging for North Florida. "We're just getting that conversation started today, raising awareness of elder abuse and neglect exploitation and knowing--teaching people that they can prevent this. It's in our hands, we have ability to report when we see or suspect something."
If you suspect that an elderly or disabled adult is being abused, neglected or exploited, you're urged to call the Florida Abuse Hotline at 1-800-962-2873.
"In a perfect world we wouldn't need a day like this but unfortunately since it is such a global issue we just coming together to raise awareness," said Copeland.
