An undergraduate group from the University of Arizona is launching a program to help decrease financial abuse of the elderly.

Senior Advice and Financial Education (SAFE), a non-profit startup program from the UA’s Eller College of Management, will hold a fundraising luncheon event entitled “Confronting Elder Financial Abuse” to launch their efforts.

The event will offer a series of speakers who will address various forms of elder financial abuse and how to avoid it.

Members of this program say the luncheon is a call to action for banks and credit unions to combat senior financial abuse by increasing public awareness.

According to a media release, Jenefer Duane, CEO and Executive Director of the Elder Financial Protection Network, will provide the keynote address. Other featured speakers will include Detective Jim Williamson from the Tucson Police Department’s Elder Abuse Task Force and Arizona Assistant Attorney General John Evans.

“Elder abuse is one of the worst crimes because it is committed against vulnerable elders who should be treated with respect for all they have given to our families and communities,” Detective Williamson said. “Remember that if it is not your problem, it will be.”

The SAFE program structure is based on a California model of the Elder Financial Protection Network that has proven to be successful.

Statistics from the Tucson Police Department reveal that about 12,600 seniors are victims of financial abuse each year in Tucson. Only one in 20 cases are reported because TPD says the elderly feel shame, fear of retaliation, lack of awareness or there is a family connection among other factors.

The luncheon will take place on Wednesday, May 9 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Central Bistro, next to the Historic Train Depot, located at 400 N. Toole Avenue.