WISCONSIN (CBS 58) – The State Department of Justice says one in nine seniors in Wisconsin reports being abused, neglected, or exploited in the past year.

The new task force on elder abuse will set out to make it easier to investigate and prosecute these kinds of crimes. It hopes to strengthen consumer protection for seniors.

The needs for this is growing. Over the next two decades, the number of Wisconsinites 65 and older will increase by 72%. The State DOJ says elder abuse is very under-reported, only one in 44 cases of financial abuse ever gets to authorities.

The Department of Justice and more than 10 other agencies will make up the task force.