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ACL Releases NAMRS Year Four Data

October 13, 2020

Today, ACL released a report on the fourth 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 adult protective services (APS).

NAMRS collects quantitative and qualitative data on 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 2019 reporting year, APS programs received over 1.3 million complaints of alleged adult maltreatment, a slight increase over the previous year.

The year four report includes data from every state and territorial APS 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, and this year the Adult Protective Services Technical Assistance Resource Center (APS TARC) undertook the first comprehensive analysis of the quality of the data submitted by states and potential gaps in data.

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 our understanding of adult maltreatment

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.


Last modified on 10/13/2020


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