Spelling out the Message

Once you have chosen the message you want to convey, it should be supported with facts to help the audience understand the problem and the needs of victims and their families. The message should also point the say toward solutions and actions that concerned citizens can take.

The Problem
To convey both the urgency of the situation as well as hope, use statistics, examples, testimonials and statements-of-fact. Resources that can help include:

• The National Incidence Study, conducted by the National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA), estimates the extent of the problem nationwide, describes the types of abuse and emphasizes underreporting.
• The 2000 Survey of Adult Protective Services: A Response to the Abuse of Vulnerable Adults conducted by NCEA partners, collected data on both the elderly and younger adults with disabilities,although previous NCEA studies have examined abuse of older adults only. The 2000 Survey stands out from previous NCEA studies in its inclusion of younger, vulnerable adults.
• The National Crime Victimization Survey is the nation's primary source of information on criminal victimization. Each year, data are obtained on the frequency, characteristics and consequences of rape, sexual assault, robbery, assault, theft, household burglary, and motor vehicle theft for the population as a whole and special segments including women, the elderly and members of various racial groups. It is compiled by the Bureau of Justice Statistics, U.S. Department of Justice.
• “2000 Census Figures of the Older Population for States,” which can be found on the web site of the Administration on Aging, provides state-by-state information about the elderly population. This information can be used to emphasize how many people are potentially affected by abuse. To find out how many people in your state were elderly in 2000, check the Administration on Aging’s web site.

• Services are available to reduce risk, stop abuse that is occurring, and treat its effects.
• Federal action is needed to stop elder abuse and neglect. Support the elder justice act.
• Preventing abuse requires that the public understands the problem, and that concerned citizens are willing to get involved.

• If you suspect abuse, report it!
• To learn more about resources in your community, call this number.
• Becoming an Ombudsman volunteer.
• Contact your members of Congress.
  

Tips

• Be clear, simple and accurate.
• Don’t use jargon.
• Support your claims through facts, statistics, and other supporting evidence.
• When using numbers and statistics, give clear examples. Too many details, however, are likely to overwhelm and confuse people.
• Avoid unnecessary adjectives.
• Test your message. Ask people from your target audience to review your work. Encourage them to tell you if there are words or images that are ambiguous, confusing or offensive.
• “Localize” the problem by using statistics gathered from state or local agencies.

Previous

Table of Contents

Next