ACL Releases Fifth Year of Data from the National Adult Maltreatment Reporting System

ACL released a report on the fifth year of data collected by the National Adult Maltreatment Reporting System (NAMRS). NAMRS is the only comprehensive national initiative compiling data on the abuse, neglect, and exploitation of older adults and adults with disabilities as reported to state adult protective services (APS).



NAMRS collects quantitative and qualitative data on state APS practices and policies, and the results of investigations into the maltreatment of older adults and adults with disabilities. The report includes data on complaints received by APS, types of allegations, outcomes of investigations, characteristics of alleged victims and perpetrators, and more.



In the 2020 reporting year, APS programs received more than 1.3 million complaints of alleged adult maltreatment, a slight decrease compared to the previous year, potentially attributable to the COVID-19 pandemic.



The year five report includes data from every state and territorial Adult Protective Services system in the nation. This wide-spread voluntary participation reflects the value that leaders in the field see in collecting national data on adult maltreatment. The quantity and consistency of data submissions to NAMRS continues to improve with each passing year.



Understanding the nature and extent of adult maltreatment—and the ways APS programs respond to it—is critical to enhancing the effectiveness of APS programs. NAMRS has sparked significant improvements in APS data collection and submission, and subsequently in the understanding of adult maltreatment.



In this year’s report, the APS TARC (Adult Protective Services Technical Assistance Resource Center) began to look at the potential impact of the COVID-19 on adult maltreatment as reported to state APS programs. This analysis is preliminary, and will be expanded next year once the 2021 data collection cycle is completed. 



State APS systems investigate reports of abuse and exploitation of older adults and people with disabilities. They provide support and case-management, and connect people facing abuse to a variety of protective, emergency, and support services. NAMRS is one of many ACL initiatives to build public and professional understanding about adult maltreatment and strengthen social supports to prevent it.



Learn more about the National Adult Maltreatment Reporting System (NAMRS).