Greenville Mayor Dexter McLendon signed a proclamation Tuesday proclaiming June 15 as World Elder Abuse Awareness Day.

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day is a day for the entire world to focus on a problem not limited by geography; the mistreatment of our elderly citizens. World Elder Abuse Awareness Day’s goal is to raise awareness of this too often unspoken problem. The Alabama Department of Human Resources and other governmental and non-governmental organizations, as well as older persons themselves, will work together to promote a better understanding of abuse, neglect and exploitation of older persons by organizing activities around the world designed to raise awareness of the cultural, social, economic and demographic processes affecting elder abuse and neglect.

In Fiscal Year 2015, the DHR investigated approximately 6,700 reports of suspected abuse, neglect and exploitation of vulnerable adults statewide, which included elderly people. 

Elder abuse is gravely under reported. Anyone who suspects mistreatment can call the Butler County DHR at (334) 382-4400 or the Adult Abuse Hotline at 1-800-458-7214. All reports are confidential.