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Building the Right Supports to Empower Elder Victims of Crime
In the United States the National Center on Aging estimates that elder abuse affects 1 in 10 Americans over the age of 60. Elder Americans may suffer increased consequences as a result of the trauma of their victimization including social and psychological impact and a deterioration in health and increased mortality affecting their quality of life and independence. When a crime such as exploitation or assault occurs, older adults need the right information and supports to drive their own advocacy, understand their victims’ rights, and know what to expect from the criminal justice system if a case is prosecuted. Lawful representatives often play an important role for elder victims and face unique difficulties. Advocates and prosecutors can learn how to assist victims in attaining justice while empowering them in an accessible, dignified and individualized manner. Using case examples and the experience of a skilled trial prosecutor and a long-serving victims’ rights advocate, participants will learn practical skills necessary to serve some of the most vulnerable of all crime victims and facilitate their participation and empowerment through the criminal justice system.
Amy Bocks, Advocate Program Manager, Arizona Attorney General's Office
Amy Bocks is the Advocate Program Manager in the Attorney General’s Office of Victim Services. Amy is responsible for the management and leadership advocates providing direct services to crime victims in the investigation, trial, appellate and capital litigation phases of the justice system and the volunteer intern advocate program. As an advocate she has experience working with victims of violent and financial crimes, including the financial and physical abuse of the elderly and vulnerable adults. Amy is a NOVA-trained Crisis Responder, works on policy and legislation and has taught courses on victims’ rights, victimology and volunteer management.
Sterling Struckmeyer, Assistant Attorney General, Arizona Attorney General's Office
Sterling Struckmeyer is an Assistant Attorney General in the Health Care Fraud and Abuse Section of the Arizona Attorney General’s Office. In this capacity, Sterling is responsible for prosecuting health care fraud and abuse, including abuse, neglect or financial exploitation of the elderly occurring in Medicaid facilities or committed by Medicaid providers or their employees for the Attorney General’s Office in Southern Arizona. Before joining the Office of the Attorney General, Sterling was a Deputy County Attorney with the Pima County Attorney’s Office for almost eight years. The last five of those years Sterling was assigned to the Major Crimes Bureau, prosecuting cases involving Murder, Attempted Murder, Aggravated Assault, gangs and gang related offenses, weapons offenses, violent crimes and the victims of those crimes.
