Victim Researcher Profile

BIO

Zach is a Research Assistant Professor of Gerontology at the University of Southern California. His research focuses on a range of topics related to elder mistreatment—spanning etiology, prevention, and intervention—and various other aspects of quality of life for older adults. Much of his work has focused on the elder abuse forensic center model, a multidisciplinary team (MDT) response for the most complex cases of abuse seen in APS. This research has looked at impacts on rates of prosecution, conservatorship, and recurrence as well as comparing forensic centers and other MDT models across the U.S. Other recent research has focused on primary prevention models for caregivers, factors related to mistreatment in older adults with dementia, and injuries seen in victims of physical abuse. He also serves as the research consultant for the National APS Technical Assistance Resource Center, encompassing technical assistance for APS agencies, an evaluation of national variations to the APS model, and analysis of and refinement to the National Adult Maltreatment Reporting System (NAMRS).

VICTIMIZATION FOCUS

Elder Abuse/Mistreatment

SPECIAL POPULATIONS

LGBTQ victims, Limited English proficiency victims, Older victims, Immigrants and refugees

RESEARCH EXPERTISE

Data collection, Descriptive studies, Program evaluation, Quantitative studies, Quasi-experimental studies, Randomized controlled trial, Training and/or technical assistance

VICTIM RESEARCH EXPERIENCE

Data collection, Descriptive studies, Program evaluation, Qualitative studies, Quantitative studies, Quasi-experimental studies, Randomized controlled trial, Training and/or technical assistance