Why Gay Marriage is an Issue for Abuse Professionals

July 2004 | Loree Cook-Daniels

“"Whether or not your clients can legally marry may have a significant impact on their vulnerability to abuse, neglect, and exploitation."”

This article explores how the lack of legal marriage both contributes to LGBT elder abuse and makes it harder for victims to leave. Implications for finances, care options, and legal redress are addressed. This article was originally published in Victimization of the Elderly and Disabled, Vol. 7, No. 2, July/August 2004, and is reproduced here with permission. All other reproduction or distribution, in print or electronically, is prohibited. All rights reserved. Victimization of the Elderly and Disabled is a bimonthly report letter devoted to helping adult protective services and victim support professionals, residential and day facility managers, social workers, medical personnel, attorneys, enforcement officials, prosecutors and judges in their work with vulnerable populations. For more information, write Civic Research Institute, 4478 U.S. Route 27, P.O. Box 585, Kingston, NJ 08528 or call 609-683-4450. Web: http://www.civicresearchinstitute.com. Copyright © 2004 Civic Research Institute, Inc.