The Senate Special Committee on Aging estimates that there may be as many as 5 million elder abuse victims each year in the United States. And while this number is quite staggering, only around 16 percent of these abusive situations are referred for help. Recently, the Ohio Senate passed a Senate Bill designating June 15 as Elder Abuse Awareness Day statewide. The Area Agency on Aging District 7, which covers 10 counties in Ohio, including Adams, Brown, Gallia, Highland, Jackson, Lawrence, Pike, Ross, Scioto and Vinton, encourages the community to be aware and educated about elder abuse. If you or someone you know is the victim of abuse, it is important to report it to the appropriate authorities.