National Clearinghouse on Abuse in Later Life (NCALL): Lifting Up the Voices of Older Survivors Video Project

In an effort to propel national progress in identifying and remedying elder abuse and financial exploitation, OVC's Field-Generated Innovations in Addressing Elder Abuse and Financial Exploitation Project is funding eight innovative field-generated projects in three Purpose Areas: (1) the use of technology, (2) encouragement and enhancement of cross-collaboration in victim services, and (3) the offer of enhanced or new legal remedies for victims of elder abuse and financial exploitation.

Under Purpose Area 3, the National Clearinghouse on Abuse in Later Life (NCALL), a project of End Domestic Abuse Wisconsin: the WI Coalition Against Domestic Violence, plans to build upon the successful OVC video "In Their Own Words" and create high-quality education materials that further lifts up survivors' voices. NCALL and Terra Nova Films (TNF) will create a collection of concise video clips of at least five older survivors describing their lived experiences and their insights regarding effective interventions, such as support groups and transitional housing called, "Lifting Up the Voices of Older Survivors". These trauma-informed, culturally diverse materials will be used to enhance victim safety and quality of life by improving the response of advocates and other professionals to elder abuse. The video clips could also be used in public awareness efforts such as a series of PSAs or documentaries featuring older survivors. NCALL and TNF will coordinate with OVC, the National Association of VOCA Assistance Administrators, and the Vera Institute's Underserved National Resource Center to ensure that these materials reach Victim of Crime Act (VOCA) administrators and programs that receive VOCA funding. Partners at Virginia Tech will create a written evaluation plan for OVC to gather feedback from the field to determine the impact of the project. CA/NCF