West Virginia U.S. Attorney’s Offices Partner to Further Elder Justice Work with Local Stakeholders

BRIDGEPORT, WEST VIRGINIA - U.S. Attorney Matthew L. Harvey and U.S. Attorney Moore Capito, in collaboration with Modell Consulting, have partnered to offer a two-day training to further the Department of Justice's Elder Justice Initiative.

West Virginia SAFE (Safe and Accessible Forensic Interviewing with Elders) is being held at the FBI Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) facility in Bridgeport, West Virginia. The training, conducted by Karen Hill, Ed.D., LCPA, with Modell Consulting Group, is designed for elder justice professionals seeking to gain additional information on communicating with older adults who are alleged victims of crime. Centered in skills development, this training strengthens forensic interviewing with considerations for age related declines in cognition, underlying neuropathology, like dementia and Alzheimer's, language capacity and cultural background.

"Those who target older Americans for financial gain should be on notice: we will use every tool available to investigate and prosecute these crimes," said U.S. Attorney Matthew Harvey. "By investing in this training, we are standing up for our seniors and making clear that exploitation of the elderly will not be tolerated in our communities."

"Elder abuse is a coward's crime - preying on those least able to fight back," said U.S. Attorney Moore Capito. "Here in West Virginia, our seniors are the best of the best. They should be able to retire knowing they are both physically and financially safe. That's why this training matters - it sharpens our ability to spot it, stop it, and hold offenders accountable. We will not overlook it, we will not excuse it - we will prosecute it, every time."

Law enforcement partners from across the state, along with federal and state prosecutors, and social workers who work with the elderly population will be in attendance. Each participant will gain education credits within their field. AARP is a limited sponsor of the event.

For more information about the DOJ Elder Justice Initiative contact Elder Justice Coordinators Kimberley Crockett (NDWV) and Jonathan Storage (SDWV) at their respective United States Attorney's Offices.

Legal education credits are provided by the West Virginia State Bar. Law enforcement education credits are provided by the West Virginia Division Law Enforcement Professional Standards Program (LEPS). Social work education credits are provided by Crittenton Services, Inc. in Wheeling, West Virginia.