State officials are taking on elder abuse.

Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services Deputy Secretary Jim Kallinger announced Friday that the agency will increase training of social workers in elder abuse. SRS also is hiring four more adult protection services employees.

SRS numbers show that there were 11,154 reports of alleged abuse, neglect or exploitation of adults from July 1 through March 30.

The Lawrence Journal-World reported that the agency announced its efforts in connection with international elder abuse awareness day.

Among those attending the conference was State Rep. Ramon Gonzalez. The Republican from Perry is also a law enforcement official and said he has seen cases of elder abuse up close.

He says it bothers him when abuse goes unreported.