"An Age for Justice; Elder Abuse in America"

A video documentary on elder abuse featuring stories of victims and survivors from across the country premiered on Capitol Hill today as part of a briefing where expert speakers urged Congressional passage of the Elder Justice Act.

"An Age for Justice; Elder Abuse in America" was developed as part of Elder Justice Now, a campaign that uses the power of video and the Internet to put a human face on the problem and allow elders and others a way to advocate for Congressional action.

Produced by the National Council on Aging and WITNESS, an international human rights organization, the documentary will -- in combination with hundreds of individual video stories filmed by trained elder advocates -- shine the light on what one interviewee called a "dark mark on our humanity."

"The voices and images of so many victims, adult protective services workers, law enforcement, family members and caregivers drive home the need for action," James P. Firman, president and CEO of the National Council on Aging said at the briefing. "Our nation's seniors, especially the vulnerable, the frail and the very old, need federal protection now."

The documentary shows families and individuals whose lives have been turned upside down by elder abuse.

The Senate Finance Committee recently incorporated the Elder Justice Act into its health reform bill, but passage of the Act still remains a question.

The documentary and the video stories can be found on the campaign Web site www.ElderJusticeNow.org.

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Elder Abuse Victims, Survivors and Advocates Tell Their Story in Campaign Documentry