Competing Values in Serving Older and Vulnerable Adults: Adult Protective Services, Mandated Reporting, and Domestic Violence Programs

Abstract

State mandatory reporting statutes may directly or indirectly list domestic violence programs as among those that are mandated reporters of cases of suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation of older individuals and those with disabilities. Domestic violence programs, however, may not consider themselves to be mandated reporters, because the responsibility of reporting abuse may be contrary to their programmatic philosophy. In the Commonwealth of Virginia, the potential conflict between domestic violence programs and Adult Protective Services about the issue of mandated reporting has created tension between these organizations as each entity continues interpreting the issues and policies of mandated reporting through its own lens. The authors draw out some of the reasons for the conflict as well as make recommendations for improving relationships between the two organizations, which will ultimately benefit vulnerable adults who are experiencing abuse.

Keywords:

• Adult Protective Services
• domestic violence programs
• mandated reporting
• elder abuse
• abuse of people with disabilities

Notes

1. The term elder abuse is sometimes referred to as “abuse in later life”; however, much of the existing literature still refers to abuse in later life as elder abuse. The term elder abuse will be utilized in this article in order to provide a consistency and ease of understanding for readers who are more familiar with this term.

2. Centers for Independent Living (CILs) “are grassroots, advocacy-driven organizations run by and for people with disabilities. They focus on civil rights, the independent living philosophy, and inclusion. All centers provide individual and systems advocacy, information and referral, peer support, and independent living skills training” (National Council on Independent Living, “Centers for Independent Living,” 2006, ¶1).