In a state where 1 in 10 adults over 60 faces abuse or exploitation, yet only 1 in 5 cases is reported, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost has launched a statewide campaign to raise awareness and encourage reporting. Announced on October 27, 2025, the initiative features a compelling video titled “What’s Done in the Dark,” aimed at destigmatizing victimization and educating families on signs of financial scams, neglect, and emotional abuse. Unveiled at the Attorney General's Elder Abuse Commission meeting, the video and accompanying resources on Yost's Elder Justice Unit webpages are designed to spark conversations and empower Ohioans to spot and stop the "invisible crime" affecting over 100 daily referrals to Adult Protective Services (APS).
For readers of the Aging-in-Place Planning and Elderlaw Blog, this effort is timely amid a 27% rise in elder abuse reports since 2020, but it raises a key question: Does it represent genuine reform, or is it more window dressing for a system in need of structural overhaul? As we've explored in "Rethinking Elder Abuse Strategies: How Prophylactic Planning Can Safeguard Autonomy and Aging in Place," tangible protection lies in proactive tools such as advance directives, supported decision-making (SDM) agreements, powers of attorney, and trusts. While awareness videos can increase reporting after the fact, proper planning and proactive measures can help avoid problems altogether. This article reviews the initiative, analyzes its potential impact, and whether it addresses root causes.
The Initiative: A Video and Resources to Shine Light on the 'Dark'At its core, Yost's campaign is a public education push, partnering with the Ohio Pharmacists Association to train professionals in spotting abuse. The video features survivors sharing stories of financial scams and isolation, emphasizing "the shame belongs only to those who harm." Key elements include:
- Warning Signs: Unexplained financial changes, unpaid bills, or sudden account alterations.
- Reporting Tools: Hotline (855-OHIO-APS) and online portals for APS referrals, and filing an Elder Justice Unit Complaint; Elder Justice Unit at 800-282-0515 for legal aid.
- Pharmacist Training: Pharmacies serve as frontline sentinels to flag suspicious prescriptions or behavior.
- Website Resources: ag.state.oh.us/elderjustice for guides, videos, and protections like the Ohio Consumer Sales Practices Act.
The video is compelling, recounting raw stories of scams and isolation. It is not "required viewing," for example, in guardianship training or courts, or even for pharmacists. It's promotional, not mandatory. Ohio's Supreme Court offers elder abuse resources for attorneys; however, there is no statewide mandate that ties this video to probate or guardianship education, or any other event beyond pharmacists, pharmacies, and the public education associated with the campaign. The video is also likely to miss the most vulnerable, seniors who are homebound or must rely on third parties to run errands. Regardless, however, laudable these efforts are, they focus on reporting abuse after the fact, rather than preventing abuse. The Funnel of Failure: From Report to Resolution
Even if reporting dramatically increases, the extent of elder abuse and exploitation is unlikely to drop in a meaningful way. Enforcement is even less likely than reporting (possibly explaining some of the underreporting- why report a crime when you know that no one is going to be able to do anything about it?). The journey from “I was scammed” to “Justice served” is a gauntlet most never finish. Below are the cold, hard numbers that show why the system feels broken, and what families can do tonight to slam the door on predators.
Step | % That Make It Through | Real-World Meaning |
|---|---|---|
Reported | 1 in 5 (20%) | 80% of victims never tell anyone—shame, fear, or dementia silence them. |
Investigated | 1 in 25 (4%) | Local Adult Protective Services (APS) is swamped: 1 worker per 1,000 cases in many states. |
Prosecuted | 1 in 100 (1%) | Only financial crimes over $100k usually cross a DA’s desk. |
Convicted | 1 in 250 (<0.4%) | Plea deals or jury sympathy for “family” abusers drop most charges. |
Sources:
- National Adult Maltreatment Reporting System (NAMRS) 2024: 1.2 million reports translate to 48,000 investigations leading to 12,000 prosecutions.
- U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging, 2025: “Of 38,000 financial-exploitation reports, 98% closed without arrest.”
- DOJ Elder Justice Initiative, 2025: “Telephone/internet scams comprise 72% of reports, with a 0.3% conviction rate.”
This means that only 1 in 1,250 actual elder-abuse victims (1 out of every 1,250 seniors who are abused) ever sees the abuser convicted. That’s 0.08% of the true total. Enforcement is made nearly impossible by the nature of modern crime. Most scams are borderless, cashless, and anonymous. A Romanian call-center spoofing U.S. numbers can’t be extradited for a $2,000 wire fraud. Crypto “pig-butchering” scams (DOJ seized $15 billion from just one Cambodian scammer in 2025) vanish into untraceable wallets. Grandparent scams evolve weekly, with AI voice clones now mimicking your “grandson in jail.” The tragic reality is that even a dramatic increase in reporting is unlikely to result in a meaningful decrease in either identification of or enforcement actions against abuse and exploitation.
Protecting Yourself or a Loved One
While the odds of catching an abuser are slim, you can drastically increase your odds of safety by taking prophylactic measures tonight. Prevention is undeniably the best tool. After reading our article, Rethinking Elder Abuse Strategies, read and implement the strategies outlined in Safeguarding Seniors: Comprehensive Strategies to Prevent Elder Fraud and Financial Abuses; it is full of tips, tricks, tools, and information.
How You Can Help Drive Real Change
If you want to help:
- Share the Video: Post on social media to destigmatize reporting.
- Advocate Locally: Contact your local Adult Protective Services, senior center, probate judge, church, or charitable organization to volunteer or help spread the word.
Conclusion: From Awareness to Action
Prevention beats reaction every time. Build the fence at the top of the cliff, rather than relying on the ambulance at the bottom. While this article has provided a thorough analysis of the campaign and reform gaps, it is by no means comprehensive. The landscape evolves rapidly. Readers must remain vigilant.
