Elder & Vulnerable Adult Abuse

If you suspect that a crime against a vulnerable adult is occurring or has occurred, you should do two things:

1. Report the crime to the police by calling 911.
2. Report the crime to DSHS:
   1. Call 1 800-562-6078 if the crime occurred in an adult family home (AFH), assisted living facility (ALF), nursing home, or in a certified community residential (supported living) setting (CRS/SL).
   2. Call 1 866-221-4909 if the crime occurred anywhere besides an adult family home (AFH), assisted living facility (ALF), nursing home, or in a certified community residential (supported living) setting (CRS/SL).

When in doubt, please report.

Program Goal

In response to the rapidly increasing elderly population in Klickitat County, and to increases in crimes against vulnerable adults, our office is in the process of creating a program targeted to address the special circumstances inherent in these cases. Our Elder Abuse program hopes to address the abuse of vulnerable adults, a population that includes disabled adults as well as the elderly. Our goals are three-fold:

• To prosecute cases of neglect, financial exploitation and sexual assault of the elderly and disabled;
• To work collaboratively with police, social service agencies, and medical professionals to improve the referral, investigation, and, ultimately, prosecution of cases of abuse and neglect of vulnerable adults
• To provide training to first responders so they can better recognize and react to such cases.