 In honor of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, the Big Sandy Council on Elder Maltreatment hosted a walk for a cause on the campus of Big Sandy Community and Technical College in Prestonsburg. Over 80 people joined together to raise awareness about elder abuse. Along with the walk, informational vendors were set up and prepared to educate participants on elder abuse. If we educate our community what the signs are, they're more likely to go out in the community looking at their neighbors, their friends, their families and intercede on behalf of that individual. Organizers add that most elder abuse goes unreported. In Kentucky, we are a mandatory reporting state, so you are obligated under Kentucky law to report abuse and vector exploitation if you suspect. We have one in 23 reported, so for every one person that is abused, there are 23 out there that we don't know anything about. Most abuse is traced to exploitation and most would say is from those who are closest to the victim. We are losing billions and billions of dollars to exploitation and unfortunately it's family, friends, trusted individuals that have taken an interest in an elderly person. To report elder abuse, call the number on your screen. Reporting in Prestonsburg for EKB News, I'm Shelby Steele.