SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO AM) - According to the National Center on Elder Abuse, roughly 7% to 10% percent of all elderly persons experience some kind of abuse or neglect.
Roxanne Hammond with the Legislative Research Center says there are about 128,000 elderly South Dakotans.
Hammond says that if every single person in that 10%, 12,800 elderly individuals, were experiencing emotional abuse LRC estimates nine people would be arrested under the new statute change.
Hammond estimates of the nine arrests, there would be one conviction with the offender serving ten days in jail, if the legislature adds emotional and psychological abuse to the physical abuse statute. The new law would be a misdemeanor.
The Senate Judiciary Committee today considers a measure intended to protect South Dakota seniors and adults with disabilities from emotional and psychological abuse.
State Supreme Court Chief Justice David Gilbertson briefed the committee earlier this week. As he wrapped up his testimony, Gilbertson told lawmakers that with any luck they would all reach a ripe old age, adding that some on the panel, and he included himself, are already there. That illicited a chorus of laughter.
Gilbertson says even with passage, the bill is not a universal cure-all for elder abuse.