American Samoa will soon have in place a new law which criminalises and prevents the neglect, abuse and exploitation of the elderly and disabled adult population in the territory.
Photo: 123RF
The territory's governor, Lolo Matalasi Moliga, signed into law the Elderly and Disabled Adult Neglect, Abuse and Exploitation Prevention Act last week.
In signing the new law, which becomes effective at the end of this year, the governor said the neglect, abuse and exploitation of the elderly and disabled adults is a growing problem with the vast majority of incidents unreported.
He said the territory's most vulnerable deserve utmost protection.