“Protect Our Elders Now”: AARP Virgin Islands, Lieutenant Governor, and Community Leaders Issue Urgent Call to End Elder Abuse

AARP Virgin Islands, alongside top government officials and community leaders, has issued a unified call to action in observance of Elder Abuse Awareness Month this June, highlighting the urgent need to protect older adults and vulnerable residents across the Territory.

In a joint statement, AARP Virgin Islands joined the Office of the Lieutenant Governor, the Office of the Attorney General, the Department of Human Services, the Disability Rights Center of the Virgin Islands, and community partners to reaffirm their shared commitment to preventing elder abuse in all its forms.

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Elder abuse can include physical harm, emotional mistreatment, neglect, financial exploitation, and other forms of harm that threaten the safety, dignity, and independence of older adults. The statement emphasizes that many cases go unreported due to fear, isolation, or lack of awareness.

With the Territory’s older adult population continuing to grow and national estimates showing that one in ten older adults experience some form of abuse, leaders stress that a strong, coordinated response is essential.

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The joint effort outlines key priorities for 2026, including:

• Strengthening enforcement and penalties for abuse and financial exploitation
• Expanding reporting systems and requirements
• Improving coordination across agencies
• Increasing public awareness, prevention programs, and community education

“Elder abuse is often hidden, but its impact is devastating,” said Troy A. De Chabert-Schuster, State Director of AARP Virgin Islands. “This joint commitment sends a clear message: in the Virgin Islands, we will not look away. We are coming together across agencies and communities to protect our older residents, raise awareness, and ensure that every person can age with dignity, respect, and security.”

“These efforts reflect our shared commitment to building a system of protection that is proactive, responsive, and centered on dignity and safety for every Virgin Islander,” the statement notes.

Leaders are also encouraging residents to stay informed, speak up, and support efforts to prevent abuse, reinforcing that safeguarding older adults is a collective responsibility across the community.

Signatories to the Joint Statement

The joint statement was signed by the following leaders:

• Troy A. De Chabert-Schuster, State Director, AARP Virgin Islands
• Tregenza A. Roach, Esq., Lieutenant Governor, U.S. Virgin Islands
• Gordon C. Rhea, Esq., Attorney General, U.S. Virgin Islands
• Averil E. George, Commissioner, Department of Human Services
• Angus Drigo, Executive Director, Disability Rights Center of the Virgin Islands
• Keisha L. Richards, Chief Executive Director, St. Thomas Federal Credit Union

About AARP

AARP is the nation’s largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering Americans age 50 and older to choose how they live as they age. With nearly 38 million members and offices in every state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, AARP strengthens communities and advocates for what matters most to families—health security, financial stability, and personal fulfillment. Learn more at www.aarp.org or follow @AARPVI on social media.