Reporting Abuse of an Elder or Adult with Disability (for consumers)

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Reporting Abuse of an Elder or Adult with Disability (for consumers)

You have special protections if you are an adult with disability or an elder who has been abused, neglected, or targeted for a crime because of your disability.

Disclaimer: This publication is legal information only and is not legal advice about your individual situation. It is current as of the date posted. We try to update our materials regularly. However, laws are regularly changing. If you want to make sure the law has not changed, contact DRC or another legal office.

You have special protections if you are an adult with disability or an elder who has been abused, neglected, or targeted for a crime because of your disability. 

  1. What is abuse? Click on this link to find out what abuse can be
  2. What is neglect? Click on this link to find out what neglect can be
  3. What is a crime? Click on this link to find out what a crime can be

Who should I call? 

If you live in the community, such as in your own home, a hotel, or are getting care in a hospital, clinic or training program, you should contact: 

And 

  • Your County Adult Protective Services (APS) agency. To find your County APS agency, click here

If you live in a facility, such as a group home, a nursing home, or residential facility (like assisted living or board and care home), you should contact: 

And 

And 

And 

Laws & Regulations 

What is Disability Rights California? 

Disability Rights California is a non-profit organization that works to advocate and assist you with problems you may have relating to your disability. The services we can provide include: 

  1. Informing you about your legal, civil, and service rights; 
  2. Investigating complaints about physical abuse, sexual abuse, or neglect; 
  3. Representing people with disabilities in areas of education, discrimination, benefits, and occupation. 

If you have any problems relating to your disability, you may contact one of our offices by calling 1-800-776-5746 or via the internet by clicking here.

Definitions: 

Abuse is:

Abuse can be 3 different things: 

  1. Physical: Someone hurting your body on purpose
    • For example: hitting, kicking, burning, biting, shaking, or using an object to hit you.
    • You do not need to have a bruise or pain for you to be abused physically. 
  2. Sexual: Someone touching your body where you are not comfortable on purpose
    • Touching your private parts
    • Touching you where you would wear a bathing suit
    • Taking pictures of you when you are naked
    • Touching themselves in front of you 
  3. Emotional: Someone using words or non-physical ways to hurt you on purpose
    • Threatening you with words
    • Embarrassing you on purpose
    • Calls you name
    • Talks down to you
    • Keeping you away from other people you want to see
    • Keeping you away from doing things you enjoy
    • Making threatening movements against you 

Neglect is:

When someone who is supposed to care for you does not take care of your needs by, for example: 

  1. Not giving you enough food, clothing, or shelter 
  2. Not taking care of your physical and medical needs 
  3. Not cleaning you 
  4. Not giving you your medication 
  5. Not helping you move around
  6. Not keeping an area clean so you can move around without falling 

Crime is:

If someone is abusing you or neglecting you it is a crime!!! 

A crime also includes a few more things such as: 

  1. Inappropriate use of physical restraint:
    • For example tying you up somewhere you cannot move from
    • Using any other thing to prevent you from moving
    • Grabbing or holding you so you cannot move 
  2. Inappropriate use of chemical restraint or medication:
    • For example giving you medications that make you drowsy or tired but that will not make you feel any better 
  3. Financial abuse:
    • For example when someone is taking your money or property without your permission
    • Someone in your family can still financially abuse you if they take your money or belongings without your permission, even if you are related.