Partnership
The Elder Abuse Response Team
Detective Mike Payne, WRPS
Elizabeth Nieson, RN Elder Abuse Resource Consultant, WW CCAC
Partner Roles: CCAC
provide coordination, information about services and options
providing consultation on cases working with officer to respond, advocate and
provide intervention services provide intake and assessment role facilitate a forum for case review facilitating referrals to Restorative Justice community development, raising awareness
Partner Roles: Police provide a Detective/Cst conduct criminal investigations ensure confidential police information is shared
appropriately liaise with crown attorney facilitate referrals to Restorative Justice, Victim
Service, VWAP identify gaps in services partner with others in the community raising awareness and community development
Supporting Documents
Memorandum of Understanding Sharing of information (PHIPA, Freedom of
Information and Protection Act Agreement between CCAC and WRPS
Elder Abuse Response Team Protocol Supports operating principles and key values
(respond to elder abuse by working in partnership and providing an opportunity for change and healing, thereby enhancing the safety and well-being of older adults)
Elder Abuse - Definition
“Elder abuse is the mistreatment of an elderly
person by someone that they should be able to
rely on: a spouse, a child, another family
member, a friend, or a paid caregiver.”Senate Committee Report on Aging, 2009 – Canada’s Aging Population:
Seizing the Opportunity
Key Values
working in partnership with the community safety confidentiality dignity and respect autonomy access to information to make meaningful
decisions least restrictive interventions
Victim directed Intervention
Capable follow direction of
older adult options and referrals
to supports involvement of other
family/services
Incapable evidence of Power of Attorney Substitute Decision
Maker advocate on behalf of
older adult Public Guardian and
Trustee
Benefits of Partnership
1. information sharing Police – history of calls for service;
knowledge of provinicial and federal statues CCAC – obtaining and understanding
medical information; access to CCAC documentation for client’s at risk; partnership with community programs
information shared based PHIPA and Police Service Act and other privacy legislation
Benefits of Partnership continued
2. collection and dissemination of data
3. wider range of options presented to victim in one visit
4. direct referral to EART and
5. direct referral to community support services
6. shared education and initiatives that aid in the reduction of elder abuse
EART - Call source
EART is direct referral mandate to raise
awareness abuse recognized by
family and professionals
victims need support to seek help 0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
call source
family
police
otheragency
CCAC
LTC/RH
doctor
victim
Family Violence ProjectWaterloo Region
SA/DV Treatment Centre CFCC Counselling Services Community Action Program for
Children EART Victim Services WRPS Domestic Violence Family and Children Services Women’s Crisis Services of
Waterloo Region Credit Counselling CFCC Crown Attorney
Joint Investigation safety (emergency housing option) determine offence (facts in issue) background (investigative and intelligence,
CCAC, medical) mobile obtainment of statements (audio/video) interview of caregivers, physicians, community
services obtain statements (witnesses) obtain relevant documents (POA, Dr., health
care professional assessments)
Possible Dispositions
charges laid – traditional court process diversion to restorative justice (Community
Justice Initiatives) referral to community agencies (CCAC;
community geriatric program; SW; victim services; community support connections; circles of care volunteers)
advocating for assessments (hospital; family physician)
advocating for support from informal caregivers