Adult Protective Service Practice Exam

True or False: The hotline should receive reports of abuse if the alleged perpetrator is deceased.

1. True

2. False

3. Only if there are witnesses

4. Only for unresolved cases

The correct answer is: False

The statement is false because reports of abuse should not necessarily be directed to a hotline if the alleged perpetrator is deceased. The primary purpose of reporting such cases is to protect potential victims and address ongoing risks. If the perpetrator is deceased, there may not be a current threat to others, making it less relevant for the hotline to take action. Additionally, in situations involving deceased individuals, the focus often shifts to understanding the context of the abuse, addressing the needs of the victims, and potentially pursuing justice or support for them rather than acting against an individual who can no longer cause harm. Therefore, while reporting might still occur for documentation or historical purposes, the immediacy of the hotline's intervention would typically not be warranted in the absence of a living perpetrator.