Supporting Elder Abuse Victims: A Spotlight on SF Victim Services

The “Protecting Our Seniors” series aims to raise awareness about the often overlooked but critically important issue of elder abuse. Throughout the series, we will delve into the various forms of elder abuse, its prevalence, warning signs, prevention strategies, and resources available for victims and their families. By bringing together representatives from Adult Protective Services (APS), victim services organizations, and the District Attorney’s office, we hope to provide comprehensive insights and guidance on addressing elder abuse within our community.

May 21, 2024 – Supporting Elder Abuse Victims: A Spotlight on SF Victim Services
The second session will focus on supporting elder abuse victims and their families. We will hear from Oscar Gonzales from the San Francisco Victim Services agency, who play a crucial role in providing support, advocacy, and resources to those affected by elder abuse. Topics will include trauma-informed care, crisis intervention, and empowering victims to seek help and access available services.

Oscar Gonzales works within the SF District Attorney’s office as Victim Services Advocate where he predominantly works closely with elder/vulnerable victims of crime. He assists victims with signing-up for VINELink, provides criminal advocacy, crisis intervention, completes warm hand-offs to community based organizations, creates safety plans, and assists with completing CalVCB applications.