Pictured from left are Bonnie Shannon, city recorder; Cami Williamson, adult services supervisor with the Department of Health and Human Services’ Adult Protective Services; Tina Rush, director of marketing and admissions of New Martinsville Care and Rehabilitation Center; and Jacqueline Watkins, director of social services at New Martinsville Care and Rehabilitation Center, as they display an informational poster at the New Martinsville City Building.

At the New Martinsville City Council meeting held June 6 Mayor Lucille Blum signed a proclamation naming today as World Elder Abuse Awareness Day in the City of New Martinsville.

In the state of West Virginia during the 2010 fiscal year, the WVDHHR Adult Protective Services program received over 13,398 reports of adult abuse, neglect, and exploitation.

In Marshall, Tyler, and Wetzel counties last year, there were 304 reported cases of abuse/neglect, and in Hancock, Brooke, and Ohio counties there were 465 reports. To report a case or for more information, call the local office at 304-455-0920 or call toll free at 1-800-352-8613.

The proclamation adopting June 15 as World Elder Abuse Awareness Day reads:

Whereas West Virginia’s seniors and disabled adults are valued members of society and it is our collective responsibility to ensure they live safely and with dignity;

And whereas combating abuse of older and disabled adults will help improve the quality of life for all seniors and disabled adults and will allow them to continue to live as independently as possible and contribute to the life and vibrancy of our communities; And whereas older and disabled West Virginians may be targets for abuse, neglect, and exploitation, which can occur in families and communities of all social, economic, racial, and ethnic backgrounds;

And whereas during fiscal year 2010, the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources Adult Protective Services program received over 13,398 reports of adult abuse, neglect, and exploitation;

And whereas in this endeavor, the Adult Protective Services program works closely with partners, both public and private, at the state and local level–including the New Martinsville Police Department–to serve our senior and disabled adults;

And whereas World Edler Abuse Awareness Day offers all West Virginians the opportunity to remember victims of adult abuse and their families, to promote the programs and organizations that serve them, and to participate in community efforts to improve the safety and well-being of all people throughout our state;

And now, therefore, I, Lucille Blum, Mayor of the City of New Martinsville, do hereby proclaim the 15th day of June, 2011, as World Elder Abuse Awareness Day in the City of New Martinsville and encourage all citizens to help prevent the abuse of seniors and disabled adults.