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Abuse & Neglect of Vulnerable Persons:

A Law Enforcement PerspectiveOCSCO Elder Abuse Symposium

June 11, 2013

Why the concern about “vulnerable persons?”

• demographics • life style choices• effects of abuse & neglect• overlooked family violence victim • community - based policing

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Elder abuse

• harm caused to a person over the age of 65 yrs by some one in a position of trust or authority TPS

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Trust & authority: power & control

• abuse/violence is used to intimidate, humiliate, coerce, frighten or simply, make the victim feel powerless

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Legislation

• Criminal Code of Canada• Homes for Special Care Act• Substitute Decisions Act• Health Care Consent Act• Mental Health Act• Residential Tenancies Act• Coroner’s Act• Developmental Services Act• Long-Term Care Homes• *Retirement Homes Act (RTA still applies)

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Criminal Code: financial crimes

• theft• theft by person holding power of

attorney• destroying documents of title• credit card offences• fraud/false pretences/forgery• false statement in writing• breach of trust

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Criminal Code: psychological crimes

• invasion of privacy• criminal harassment• indecent/harassing telephone calls• uttering threats• intimidation

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Criminal Code: physical crimes

• assault (with weapon)• sexual assault (with weapon)• sexual exploitation of persons with a

disability• poison• kidnapping/forcible confinement• torture• murder/manslaughter

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Criminal Code: neglect crimes

• failing to provide the necessaries of life• death/bodily harm by criminal negligence

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Substitute Decisions Act

Capacity:• ability to (1) understand relevant

information & (2) appreciate the reasonably foreseeable consequences of making or not making a decision (as it pertains to property or personal care decisions)

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Incapable person

• a person incapable of managing their day to day affairs, thus making them vulnerable to abuse

TPS

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Why do ‘victims’ of elder abuse fail to report?

• many older adults:• minimize the abuse…• rationalize the abuse…• deny the abuse…• are resigned to the abuse…• do not recognize it as abuse…• are unable/unwilling to report the abuse…• have no one to advocate on their behalf…

• the best victim is one who cannot speak or, one who will not be believed…

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Calls for police service:general information

• exact location & address history• caller identity & status• nature of incident• need for EMS (ambulance)

• suspect information• weapons• children present• court orders

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Calls for police service: Communications Centre

AT & T Language Line Service:• interpreting assistance line• no limit to languages • primarily 9-1-1 calls• conference calls to determine situation

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Calls for police service: at scene

Multilingual Community Interpreter Service (MCIS):• specifically directed at victims of

domestic violence & elder abuse, not accused persons

• MCIS usually instituted by officer o/s• 450+ interpreters – 96 languages P

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Calls for police service:general information

• all calls attended in person by officer• consideration/accommodation for special

needs • report submitted• TPS procedure: Abuse of Elderly or

Vulnerable Persons, etc. • criminal or civil matter?

(appropriate follow-up)

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Calls for police service:general information

• emergency call (police, fire, EMS): investigation/report

• non - emergency call: investigation/report or provide information/referral

• TPS procedures: CCC arrest, MHA apprehension, report, referral, follow-up…

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Calls for police service:general information

• CIB: investigative follow-up• CRO or CPO visit/follow-up/meeting• DPSU: resource/referral, staff

presentation, committee, initiative or meeting…

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Charge policy

• Domestic Violence: (mandatory)• Abuse & Neglect of Older/Vulnerable

Persons: (procedural)• police will lay charges where there are

“reasonable grounds” to believe that an offence was committed

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Police responsibility to victim

• criminal matter: keep the victim updated regarding case status, charges, arrests, court dates, release conditions…

• if required to testify, explain criminal court process & offer appropriate court preparation

• make certain victim has police contact info• if the victim is “at risk,” ensure community

supports are in place, safety plan

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Duties of police

• investigation/enforcement• education/empowerment• increase awareness of resources• provide access to network of social

services & community agencies• *response: criminal or civil P

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Calls for police service:general information

• Who: Communications Centre, specialized unit, local division or individual officer

• When: to report (suspected) criminal matter or suspicious/unusual occurrence or, need answer to question or, discuss concern or pressing issue

• Why: to advise, for information or clarification

• How: emergency 911, non- emergency (416) 808-2222 or direct #

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What do victims of elder abuse need?

• the abuser to stop the violence, exploitation, or neglect

• safety, shelter & access to financial resources

• home support services so they are not dependent on the abuser or, housing options to meet their needs CLEO

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What do victims of elder abuse need?

• emotional support, counselling & greater links to the community

• information about the law & the criminal justice system, especially about what is likely to happen to their abuser if it is a family member

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Possible interventions

• education • safety plans• home visits• in-depth assessment/interview • co-ordination with other services • contact with other family & friends • arrest & charge (police)

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Community role

• education/empowerment• increase awareness &

availability of resources• legal responsibility/ethical

obligation • no excuse not to do the right thing…

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Community role

• Domestic Violence IS a crime & is preventable

• Elder Abuse may NOT always be a CRIME: nonetheless, it is morally reprehensible & its effects, devastating

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Course of action?

Guiding principle:“Aging with dignity, honour and respect.”

Arlene Groh

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So, remember…

• abuse is not ok• abuse is not normal• something can be done to stop abuse• help is available• planning ahead can prevent abuse

Preventing Abuse of Older People

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From incident to arrest

investigation of a criminal offence:• MCIS (Multicultural Interpreter Services), if

language is an issue• ‘abuser’ is taken to police station for further

investigation• ‘victim’ may be asked for a video taped

statement of the incident (will be asked to attend station)

• severity of the offence determines if the “accused” is released with “conditions” from the police station or held until next day for court

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What happens next?

• if released with conditions, offender MUST obey them

• with any breaches of these conditions the offender is arrested again & is NOT released

• this charge is more serious than the original offence

• the offender must have a lawyer to represent them in court P

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At court

• crown attorney will direct questions to the victim & other witnesses

• defence lawyer will ask questions of the victim & witnesses

• defence may apply for victim’s records & use these to discredit victim

• offender may try to use excuses at trial (i.e. drunk, provoked, self-defence, etc.)

• judge will decide on the outcome & decide appropriate punishment (sentence)

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Sentencing

• depends on seriousness of offence or if s/he has a previous criminal record

• may get a “discharge” with or without conditions

• If convicted: pay a fine, jail time, suspended with specific conditions, house arrest, restitution (pay back victim costs)

• could include probation for 1 yr. with conditions (i.e. no alcohol, no contact, no weapons)

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Community resources

• Victim Support Line #(416) 314-2447

• “211” Community Information Line• Advocacy Centre for the Elderly (ACE)

# (416) 598-2656

• Office of the Public Guardian & Trustee (OPGT) #(416) 327-6348

• Ontario Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse (ONPEA) #(416) 916-6728

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Community resources

• Seniors’ Safety Line #1-866-299-1011

• Senior Crime Stoppers #(416) 222-TIPS (8477)

• Services for Seniors #1-877-540-6565

• Seniors Crisis Access Line (SCAL) (age-related mental health & addictions crises) #(416) 619-5001

• Victim Services Toronto #(416) 808-7066

• Victim Services Program #(416) 808-7066 PC

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TPS resources

• Emergency #911• Non-Emergency #(416) 808-2222

• Vulnerable Persons Co-ord. #(416) 808-7040

http://www.torontopolice.on.ca/community/

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A final thought

“How far you go in life depends on your being tender with young, compassionate with the aged,

sympathetic with the striving and tolerant of those who are weaker than

you - because someday, you will be all of these.”

George Washington Carver

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Abuse & Neglect of Vulnerable Persons:

A Law Enforcement Perspective

PC Patricia FLEISCHMANN Toronto Police Service

416-808-7040

Facebook: Patricia FleischmannTwitter: @CaringCop

http://www.torontopolice.on.ca/community/elderabuse.php PC

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