Elder Abuse Advocacy
Elder abuse is a serious problem affecting hundreds of thousands of vulnerable, older adults. Reported cases of elder abuse are increasing rapidly. Although true national incidence and prevalence rates of elder abuse are unknown, various studies and surveys have attempted to capture the size of the problem. For these reasons and more, Dr. Gibson has dedicated her academic and clinical work in the area of elder abuse and mistreatment, serving on several local, regional, and national boards focused on improving research efforts, and the detection and prevention of elder abuse. At the individual level, Dr. Gibson provides assessment and expert testimony in cases of suspected or confirmed abuse. She has written on the subject, trained law enforcement investigators and Adult Protective Services case workers on best responses and forensic interviewing techniques unique to older victims. Dr. Gibson strongly believes and embodies a multidisciplinary and community approach to combatting elder mistreatment and providing safe harbor for victims so that they may live the best life possible.