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 currently nearly 1.9 million Virginians age 60 or older, a number that will increase to 2.2 million in 2030; and,

WHEREAS, during fiscal year 2021, Virginia Adult Protective Services received over 39,000 reports of adult abuse, neglect, and exploitation, a five 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, home to the State 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 2022 as ADULT ABUSE PREVENTION MONTH in our COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, and I call this observance to the attention of our citizens.

Governor of Virginia

Proclamations