What is abuse?
Any form of physical, emotional, or financial mistreatment that results in harm, fear, or a loss of autonomy may be considered abuse. Adults age 60 and older and those with disabilities have an increased risk of experiencing abuse.
Multnomah County Adult Protective Services (APS) investigates reports of abuse toward adults over 60 and people with physical disabilities. The types of abuse investigated by Multnomah County APS include:
- Physical harm or injury
- Neglect
- Financial exploitation
- Verbal or emotional abuse
- Involuntary seclusion
- Wrongful use of a physical or chemical restraint
- Unwanted sexual contact
- Abandonment
- Self-neglect – when an individual lacks the ability to understand consequences leading to harm
How to report abuse and neglect
For older adults and persons with physical disabilities
An older adult is defined as someone age 60 and above.
Multnomah County Aging & Disability Services
- 503-988-4450 main
- 503-988-4480 fax
- 503-988-3646 after hours
- 4610 SE Belmont Street Portland, OR 97215-1752
Reporting abuse to other agencies
- To report abuse for adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities, call Multnomah County Intellectual & Developmental Disability Services at 503-988-1285 or call 1-855-503-SAFE (7233) for Statewide Reporting
- To report abuse for adults with mental illness, call Multnomah County Behavioral Health at 503-988-8170
- To report abuse for adults receiving residential substance abuse treatment, call the Oregon Office of Training Investigations & Safety (OTIS) at 503-945-9495
- To report child abuse, call the Oregon Abuse Hotline at 1-855-503-SAFE (7233)
When you report abuse
What happens after I report?
Adult Protective Services will collect information about whether or not abuse or neglect has occurred and attempt to link vulnerable adults to vital health and human services. Adult Protective Services may conduct an investigation and work with law enforcement if a crime has been committed.
Does my name stay confidential?
Yes. State law protects the confidentiality of anyone reporting abuse. You may also choose to remain anonymous when reporting abuse.
Am I protected if I report abuse?
- Yes. Oregon's adult abuse reporting law protects any individual who reports suspected abuse in good faith.
- Anyone reporting adult abuse with reasonable grounds is immune from civil and criminal liability.
Understanding and identifying abuse
It can be difficult to determine when abuse is occurring, and it can be even more difficult for those involved to share about it.
Identifying abuse
Abuse often occurs within complex relationships, making it difficult to detect. Individuals may be hesitant to report due to fear of retaliation, guilt, feelings of responsibility for a family member, or a lack of options.
Signs of abuse may include:
- Injuries incompatible with the explanation given
- Dramatic weight loss, dehydration, or poor hygiene
- Untreated medical or mental health conditions
- Unpaid bills despite adequate assets
- Sudden appearance of new acquaintances
- Enforced social isolation
Financial abuse
Financial abuse is the unauthorized misuse of funds, assets, or property of vulnerable populations for personal profit or gain. Families, caregivers, and trusted professionals are the most likely perpetrators of financial abuse, but it can also occur in public institutions. Loss associated with financial abuse can be devastating and irreversible, leading to poor quality of life and profound emotional distress.
Financial abuse can include:
- Theft of assets, funds or property
- Threats to wrongfully take money or property
- Scams
- Identity theft
Signs of financial exploitation may include:
- Unexpected withdrawal from community or social activities
- Unusual submissiveness toward a caregiver
- Lack of knowledge, evasiveness, or anxiety about personal finances
- Unpaid bills or eviction notices despite having available assets
- Missing belongings or a sudden disheveled appearance
- The sudden appearance of new friends and acquaintances
Additional resources for support around financial abuse:
- The federal Consumer Financial Protection Bureau webpage and financial abuse assessment tool can help older adults and caregivers identify financial abuse and next steps
- AARP offers a helpline for support and questions around scams and fraud - learn more here.
Self-neglect
Self-neglect accounts for nearly half of the concerns reported to Adult Protective Services. This occurs when an individual’s cognitive impairment impacts their ability to perform essential self-care tasks necessary to maintain their health and safety.
Signs of self neglect may include:
- Hazards, hoarding, or excessive trash in living environments
- Inability to manage medications or health
- Difficulty managing basic skills, food, or available resources
- A decline in social activity and engagement
Impacts of abuse
The losses associated with abuse can be devastating and may include the loss of independence, homes, life savings, health and dignity. Victims of abuse have been shown to have shorter life expectancies than older people who have not been abused.