“Intimate Partner Violence in Later Life: How to Recognize and Respond to Older Adult Survivors”
October 20, 2022
9:30 - 11:00 am
The Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) is pleased to announce that registration is now open for the virtual training “Intimate Partner Violence in Later Life: How to Recognize and Respond to Older Adult Survivors.”
Session Description:
One in ten older adults experience elder abuse (abuse, neglect, financial exploitation); however, only one in twenty-four cases is reported. In the majority of these cases, the perpetrator is the survivor’s intimate partner or relative. There are many myths and misconceptions about older adults, which create additional barriers for these survivors to access services and resources. The goal of this interactive workshop is to identify elder abuse in all of its forms, including domestic violence and sexual assault in later life, understand where the service gaps exist, and demonstrate through a trauma-informed and person-centered lens how to effectively respond to older adult survivors.
Presenters:
Tovah Kasdin, J.D, is an Aging Services Program Specialist at the Office of Elder Justice and Adult Protective Services at the Administration for Community Living (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services). During a 20+ career in abuse prevention as a domestic violence prosecutor, nonprofit leader and consultant, Tovah has created innovative programs and improved systems to prevent abuse and advance the rights of survivors across the lifespan.
In 2014, Tovah launched the ElderSAFE Center, a state-of-the-art shelter program in Rockville, MD for older adults experiencing abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation. As the program’s first director (2014-2022), she grew ElderSAFE into a nationally recognized and award-winning elder abuse prevention center, providing innovative education and advocacy to strengthen systems to support elder abuse survivors.
Since 2009, Tovah has consulted with the World Bank Group’s Domestic Abuse Prevention Program (DAPP) and participated in the Domestic Abuse Advisory Committee, providing best practice guidance on domestic abuse prevention services, developing and implementing trainings, and connecting survivors to resources worldwide.
Tovah is an active conference speaker and coalition leader. Affiliations include: Legal Resource Center on Violence Against Women (board of directors), Leadership Montgomery (Core Class of 2019), Maryland Network Against Domestic Violence (past president and board member), and Maryland Health Care Coalition Against Domestic Violence (past steering committee member).
Tovah received her J.D. from the University of Connecticut School of Law and her B.A. with honors from Trinity College, Hartford, Connecticut.
Participant Registration and Cost: This training is free. Participants need to register in advance for the training. Click here to register.