or desertion or neglect of, senior citizens. Elder abuse does not usually appear as a single type of abuse, but several types of abuse occur simultaneously. As of 2021, the types of elder abuse were emotional abuse (43.6%), physical abuse (41.3%), and neglect (6.5%), and emotional abuse, such as verbal abuse, threats, and threats, is also an act that harms the mental health of the elderly. Investigation of cases of elder abuse is carried out by local governments, local senior protection agencies, and the police. When they receive a report of elder abuse, they are dispatched to the scene to investigate, and they have the authority to lead the elderly to a medical institution when separation or treatment is needed. However, one of the biggest characteristics of elder abuse is that the victim does not want the abuser to be punished. Most of the abuse cases are by family members. The case management, such as effective first aid measures or counseling, is bound to be limited when the abused expresses his/her intention not to report or want a spouse, son, or daughter as an abuser punished for various reasons. However, even though the situation of hiding the abuse is similar to that of other domestic violence, it is argued that the elder abuse victims are not within the system to protect from domestic violence. Social awareness of domestic violence in Korea has increased, but elderlies aged 70 or older have been exposed to continuous and repeated abuse or violence while living at a time when punishment or intervention by institutions for domestic violence was not common.347) The ‘Act on Special Cases Concerning the Punishment of Crimes of Domestic Violence’ can be applied to elder abuse cases, but are rarely utilized. On the other hand, there is an opinion that solving the problem of social isolation of the elderly is a prerequisite for alleviating the problem of elder abuse. Social isolation is a well-known risk factor for elder abuse, and maintaining strong and diverse social relationships is an advantage in protecting older people from abuse. According to overseas studies, elderly people who frequently participated in social activities during the spread of COVID-19 were less likely to be abused. In an untact society, the risk of elder abuse increases, but at the same time, it is highly likely that the abuse will not be known to the outside world.348) 347) Kim, Hye-seong, Problems of Elder Abuse and Domestic Violence From Analysis of Elder Abuse Cases, 2017. 348) See Section on Elder Abuse from 2021 NHRCK: The Report on Human Rights Situation in the Republic of Korea for 148