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SAN FRANCISCO, CA, February 25, 2004 --- Over 150 people including elected officials, elder advocates, leaders of financial institutions and law enforcement, gathered Tuesday with the California Community Partnership for the Prevention of Financial Abuse (CCPPFA) to kick off a statewide “Call to Action” campaign to prevent elder abuse. Keynote speaker, Attorney General Bill Lockyer, led the charge, emphasizing the event’s prevailing theme, “we can make a difference.” “There are 225,000 victims of elder abuse in California each year, and financial abuse is the most common,” said Attorney General Lockyer. “We need more people like you in this room, people that do not just walk on by. We can be pioneers in eliminating elder abuse in California.” The Attorney General unveiled and signed a “2004 Year of the Senior” proclamation, inviting elder advocates, law enforcement and financial institution leaders to sign the proclamation and continue the challenge to end elder financial abuse. “Elder Financial abuse frequently goes unreported and few cases are prosecuted,” said CCPPFA Executive Director and CEO Jenefer Duane. “Fortunately this is changing, thanks to the actions taken by all of you to increase public awareness by educating elders and the community on how to prevent and report suspected abuse. Together, we can make a difference in stopping this dreadful crime in its tracks,” said Duane. About CCPPFA (now called EFPN: Elder Financial Protection Network) California Community Partnership for the Prevention of Financial Abuse (CCPPFA) works to prevent financial abuse of elders and dependent adults through community education programs, public awareness campaigns and coordination of financial institution employee training. Established in 2000, CCPPFA received the “Distinguished Service Award for Elder Abuse Prevention” from California State Attorney General, Bill Lockyer. For more information, visit www.bewiseonline.org For more information, contact: Jenefer Duane California Community Partnership for the Prevention of Financial Abuse 1450 GRANT AVE., STE. 200, NOVATO, CA 94945 / 415-897-9555 / FAX 415-897-9393 / www.bewiseonline.org
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