Intersection of Domestic Violence and Financial

Exploitation/AbuseNational Center for Victims of Crime

FINRA Investor Education Foundation

The National Center for Victims of Crime is pleased to provide the slides used in our October 20, 2015 Webinar, “Intersection of Domestic Violence and Financial Exploitation.”

Please be advised that these materials are provided through the generosity of our presenter faculty. All copyright laws apply to the proper use and crediting of these materials.

National Center for Victims of Crime► Mission: Forge a national commitment to help victims of

crime rebuild their lives. ► Dedicated to serving individuals, families, and

communities harmed by crime. ► Through collaboration with local, state, and federal

partners, the National Center:─ Advocates for Stronger Rights, Protections, and Services for Crime

Victims

─ Provides Education, Training, and Evaluation

─ Serves as a Trusted Source of Current Information on Victims' Issues

Financial Crime Resource Center► Affiliate of the National Center for Victims of Crime► Mission: Help victims of financial crime recover their

assets, and recover control of their lives ► Partner with organizations around the U.S. who work

with victims of fraud, identity theft and other financial crimes to ensure that victims have access to the best possible recovery

► Advocate for fair compensation and restitution for all crime victims

FINRA & FINRA FoundationFinancial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA)► Independent, non-governmental regulator for all securities

firms doing business with the public in the U.S.► Protects investors and maintains market integrity in a

public-private partnership with the SEC► Created through consolidation of NASD and NYSE

Regulation► Regulation, enforcement, education

FINRA Investor Education Foundation► Awards grants and manages targeted projects focused on

investor education and protection

PresentersBonnie Brandl, Director

National Clearinghouse on Abuse in Later Life

(NCALL)

Cailin Crockett, Special Assistant for Gender Policy & Elder Rights

Administration for Community Living,

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

INTERSECTION OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND FINANCIAL ABUSE ACROSS THE LIFESPANAdministration for Community Living, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services | National Clearinghouse on Abuse in Later Life (NCALL)

Archstone FoundationPatrick Doheny

Aging in America8

10,000 Americans turn 65 every day.Acierno, R., Hernandez, M. A., Amstadter, A. B., Resnick, H. S., Steve, K., Muzzy, W., & Kilpatrick, D. J. (2010).

Older women comprise more than half (55.8%) of the adult population age 65 and older.United States Census Bureau (2012).

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In 2010, there were 5.8 million people aged 85 or older.

By 2050, it is projected that there will be 19 million people aged 85 or older.U.S. Dept. of Commerce, U.S. Census Bureau. (2010).

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Racial and ethnic minority populations have increased from 5.7 million in 2000 (16.3% of the elderly population) to 8.5 million in 2011 (21% of the elderly).

They are projected to increase to 20.2 million in 2030 (28% of the elderly).Administration on Aging, 2012. U.S. Department of Health & Human Services

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Too many older adults live in at or below the poverty line. Mostly older women, these older adults rely on Social Security as their primary source of income.

Almost 1 in 5 older adults 65+ live in poverty (11.3% women; 7.4% men).

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Abuse in Later Life13

Archstone Foundation

Definitional Overlaps and SiloesCDC Definitions14

Intimate Partner Violence (IPV): physical and sexual violence, stalking and psychological aggression (including coercive tactics) by a current or former intimate partner (i.e., spouse, boyfriend/girlfriend, dating partner, or ongoing sexual partner).

Elder Abuse: any abuse and neglect of persons age 60+ by a caregiver or another person in a relationship involving an expectation of trust which can be physical, sexual, psychological, or emotional, or take the form of financial exploitation or neglect.

Perpetrators of elder abuse are spouses, partners, family members, caregivers and other persons in a relationship where the victim and society expects compassion and caring.Acierno, R. Hernandez-Tejada, M., Muzzy, W., Steve, K. (2009).

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Power and Control Wheel16

Prevalence of Abuse in Later Life

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1 in 10 community-residing older adults reported experiencing elder abuse in the past year.Acierno et al. (2010).

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Studies have consistently shown that the majority of elder abuse cases involve female victims with spouses as perpetrators. They are cases of IPV “grown old.”Lane et al., (2013).

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1 in 4 women in the U.S. will experience physical violence from an intimate partner in her lifetime. (CDC NISVS 2010)

Older women who are functionally independent experience IPV at rates comparable to younger women. (Mouton, 2003)

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The Intersection of Abuse in Later Life and Financial Exploitation

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How Domestic Violence and Financial Abuse Intersect

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Financial resources can be used as tools to maintain power and control within a relationship and/or act as barriers to living free from an abuser.

More than 40% of older adults who experience financial abuse have prior histories of trauma (Acierno, 2010).

Advocates from elder abuse and domestic violence fields have core competencies that can be shared to better serve survivors in later life.

Economic Abuse and Late Life Partner Violence

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As abusers grow older, they may change their tactics of power and control, turning to economic domination, verbal, psychological, and emotional abuse (Crockett, Brandl, Dabby, 2015).

‘Autonomy limiting behavior’ such as control over finances, is shown to increase among aging abusive partners (Rennison & Rand, 2003).

Spouse/partner remained the most prevalent form of abuser (33.7%) followed by daughter, son and in-laws (28.7%) for all forms of physical, emotional, sexual, and financial abuse (Luoma, et al., 2011).

Economic Dependence as a Barrier to Help Seeking…

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…Financial exploitation is not only a form of abuse, but also a roadblock to escaping abuse.

Older Survivors May Be:25

Economically dependent on a spouse or partner (generational context: many of today’s older women were not primary breadwinners)

Care-dependent on a spouse (or other family member), and fear placement in a nursing home if abuse is reported

With little to no independent resources, particularly if younger than 65 (not yet eligible for Social Security or Medicare)

Financial Exploitation by Others

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Brothers and sisters and trusted friends may be the offenders (Acierno, 2010)

Adult children and grandchildren may also financially exploit older adults

Three international studies found overall rates of abuse of people with dementia by their caregivers ranged from 34 – 62%. National Center on Elder Abuse, 2013.

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Some Cultural Considerations

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Some Cultural Considerations

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Case Example30

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Video: Anne NCALL and Terra Nova Films

Indicators of Financial Exploitation

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Forged name on legal documents Bought items and returned for cash Made arrangements for reverse

mortgage without her input Asked her not to tell family members

what was going on Made her feel confused and unsure of

herself

Common Victim Responses33

Wanted to protect son Was isolated Reluctant to reach out for services

Questions to Ask

How often do you get out to see friends and family?

What do you do during the day?

Are you afraid of anyone in your home?

Do you have a bank account? Stocks, bonds, other investments?

Does anyone else have access to your accounts?

Do you pay your own bills? Does someone help you?

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Potential Remedies35

Advocates can offer safety planning, including financial safety planning

Benefits specialists through aging services network can offer assistance understanding and applying for benefits

Civil lawyers or legal advocates can assist with wills, health care initiatives and protective orders

Possible Resources36

Family and friends Civil attorneys, legal advocates, elder

specific lawyers Benefit specialists DV program APS Aging network Criminal justice responses If capacity challenges exist, health

care/dementia experts

Collaboration is Crucial!37

No one agency or program can–or should–do it all! Referrals between domestic violence

agencies and elder law experts are key for enhancing capacity to serve older victims.

Resources38

Elder Justice Roadmap Project A 2014 report by the field and

for the field – to combat elder abuse, neglect and financial exploitation.

Find at ncea.acl.gov

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National Resources40

About Financial Abuse – National Network to End Domestic Violencehttp://nnedv.org/resources/ejresources/about-financial-abuse.html

The National Domestic Violence Hotline – 1-800-799-7233 | 1-800-787-3224 (TTY)http://www.thehotline.org/is-this-abuse/abuse-defined/#tab-id-5

National Resources41

Financial Protection for Older Americans – Consumer Financial Protection Bureauhttp://www.consumerfinance.gov/older-americans/

Protect Yourself from Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation – The National Center on Elder Abusehttp://www.ncea.aoa.gov/Resources/Publication/docs/NCEA_ProtectYourself_web508.pdf

National Resources42

Safety planning tools – National Clearinghouse on Abuse in Later Life: www.ncall.us/gethelp/safetyplanning

Questions?43

Contact Information

Bonnie Brandlwww.ncall.usbbrandl@ncall.us

Cailin Crockettwww.acl.govCailin.crockett@acl.hhs.gov

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What’s Next?► Download or order a copy of Taking Action: An Advocate’s

Guide to Assisting Victims of Financial Fraud

• SaveAndInvest.org/FraudCenter – see Program and Outreach Toolkit

► Upcoming Webinar

►November 17, 2015– An Advocate’s Guide to Understanding Financials and Best Practices in Working with Financial Institutions (Wells Fargo Advisors)

► Upcoming Live Free Trainings

►November 5, 2015– Columbus, Ohio

►November 10, 2015- Chicago, Illinois

Thank You for Attending!