Adult Abuse Prevention Month

By virtue of the authority vested by the Constitution of Virginia in the Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia, there is hereby officially recognized:

WHEREAS, there are nearly 1.9 million Virginians aged 60 or older, a number that will increase to 2.2 million in 2030; and

WHEREAS, during fiscal year 2022, Virginia Adult Protective Services received over 40,000 reports of adult abuse, neglect, and exploitation, a three percent increase from the previous year; and

WHEREAS, older Virginians and Virginians with disabilities may become targets for abuse, which can occur in families and communities of all social, economic, racial, and ethnic backgrounds; and

WHEREAS, there are many government-supported programs that provide vital services to older Virginians and Virginians with disabilities, including a 24-hour hotline, crisis intervention, emergency shelter, home-based and community services, public education, and legal advocacy; and

WHEREAS, the Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services Adult Protective Services Division works collaboratively with state and local partners across the Commonwealth to help older Virginians and Virginians with disabilities live free of abuse, neglect, or exploitation;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Glenn Youngkin, do hereby recognize May 2023, as ADULT ABUSE PREVENTION MONTH in the COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, and I call this observance to the attention of our citizens.

Governor of Virginia

Proclamations