25 Oct 2018

American Samoa passes elder abuse law

1:57 pm on 25 October 2018

American Samoa will soon have in place a new law which criminalises and prevents the neglect, abuse and exploitation of the elderly and disabled adult population in the territory.

A care worker pushes an elderly woman in a rest home out for fresh air.

Photo: 123RF

The territory's governor, Lolo Matalasi Moliga, signed into law the Elderly and Disabled Adult Neglect, Abuse and Exploitation Prevention Act last week.

In signing the new law, which becomes effective at the end of this year, the governor said the neglect, abuse and exploitation of the elderly and disabled adults is a growing problem with the vast majority of incidents unreported.

He said the territory's most vulnerable deserve utmost protection.