HAVEN GIVES FOCUS TO ELDERLY ABUSE IN JUNE

Haven Inc of Merrill, the Household Abuse Victims Emergency Network, provides support and services for all impacted by domestic violence, sexual abuse, stalking and trafficking. Throughout the month of June, they’re focusing on the abuse of the elderly.

Abuse can take many different forms from financial issues to controlling someone’s every move. Haven Advocate Nancy Baacke shared that people commonly think it shouldn’t be that difficult to separate oneself from abusers, but it’s not always that simple. She emphasized the need for friends and family to give particular attention to financial abuse, the most common form of abuse among older adults. Baacke said Haven starts by providing abuse victims a listening ear and a hand at their side.

The nonprofit aided nearly 180 people in 2024, including 133 adults and 47 children. Additionally, Haven provided over 3,000 nights of shelter for those who were literally in need of a safe haven.