It's the largest unmet need in victim services and one local agency is working to change that in Allen County.
Crime Victim Services saw a need and started their Elder Victim Ministry in 2011 with more than 3,000 senior citizens being helped since then in Allen and Putnam counties. Crime Victim Services officials say they work closely with police and Adult Protective Services to assist seniors as many of their cases don't make it to court. Most seniors have been affected by property crimes, including scams and theft, while others have faced neglect and abuse. Once a red flag has been raised the seniors are put on the "Are you okay?" call list.
So we have elders or family members who would like us to keep in touch with them or usually elders themselves who say well just keep calling me and so we have a friendly followup call to see how that particular scam or ID theft or a neighbor problem or a caretaker problem, whatever it is, how's it going and making sure that they're remaining okay and not re-victimized," explained David Voth, Crime Victim Services executive director.
Voth said last year they did 131 home visits with seniors. There is no charge for their services and he encourages anyone that believes they or someone they know is being victimized to report it to get help.
