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June 15 is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day

Posted on June 14, 2015 by Sonoma Sun
Cynthia Scarborough, executive director of Vintage House, plants purple flags to raise awareness of elder abuse in the community. (Rachel Hundley)
Cynthia Scarborough, Executive Director of Vintage House, plants purple flags to raise awareness of elder abuse in the community. (Rachel Hundley)

Tomorrow, June 15 marks World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. Last week, Sonoma City Councilwoman Rachel Hundley, alongside staff at Vintage House, placed 295 purple flags around the Vintage House property to represent the 295 reported cases of elder abuse in Sonoma Valley in 2014.

rachel hundley
Sonoma City Councilwoman Rachel Hundley (center) planted over 250 purple flags with staff at Vintage House to bring awareness to elder abuse (Rachel Hundley)

Elder abuse is up 70% in Sonoma County, according to the county. Elder abuse may comprise physical, emotional, or financial abuse of seniors. Only 1 in 23 cases of elder abuse are reported. By planting purple flags, Vintage House hopes to bring awareness to this form of abuse and to build the cause for “see something, say something.”

Sonoma County Elder Protection Workgroup offers sessions, led by seniors, for seniors, and their friends and family, about elder abuse. If you suspect that someone is the victim of elder abuse, report your concerns to Sonoma County Adult Protective Services at 565-5940. If you suspect a care facility of elder abuse, call 529-4108.

Learn more about elder abuse and the Sonoma County Elder Protection Workgroup at sceapc.org.

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