Tester Secures $400,000 to Combat Elder Abuse Against Montanans

Funds will expand service to Missoula, Ravalli, Lake, and Toole Counties

U.S. Senator Jon Tester today continued his push to eradicate exploitation of older Montanans by securing $400,000 in Department of Justice funding to the Montana Board of Crime Control to help combat elder abuse.

“At a time when older Montanans are stuck inside with a greater risk from COVID-19, it is absolutely critical we do everything we can to help stop the scourge of elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation,” said Tester. “These critical funds will help continue and expand ongoing efforts to combat elder abuse and provide services to victims across our state.”

These funds will allow the Montana Board of Crime Control to continue the collaboration with the Montana Department of Justice’s Division of Criminal Investigation and the Attorney General’s Office of Legal Services, the Montana Department of Health and Human Services’ Adult Protective Services, and new partner, YWCA of Missoula to address abuse in later life. In addition to continuing services in the initial project area, with this funding they will expand the project to cover Missoula, Ravalli, Lake, and Toole Counties.

Project partners will support a multidisciplinary community response to elder abuse and review policies and procedures to identify gaps in the response to elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation, including domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence and stalking. They will expand on existing victim services to improve program outcomes and develop an outreach and services plan for the new counties.

Senator Tester is a cosponsor of the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2019, which would increase funding, training, and services to end abuse later in life. Tester is also the cosponsor of the Stop Senior Scams Act, the Senior Fraud Prevention Act, and the Stopping COVID Scams Act to prevent financial fraud and scams aimed at seniors.