Recently more attention has been focused on elder abuse, with laws enacted requiring reporting of this crime. Since service providers often do not recognize elder abuse, a validated screening tool for elder abuse is needed. A screening tool called the Hwalek-Sengstock Elder Abuse Screening Protocol has been developed and is currently being validated. The screening tool contains 16 indicators which include the following: (1) the elderly person's feelings of fear, unwantedness, or depression; (2) the caretaker's alcohol abuse, financial dependence on the elderly person, lying, stressed condition, or misunderstanding of the elderly person's condition; (3) the elderly person has been threatened, hurt or his personal needs not met; (4) marital stress in the family; and (5) financial stress in the family. Content validity, criterion related validity, and construct validity are examined and a reliability study is planned. This tool has advantages over other tools because it examines psychological and behavioral indicators rather than just demographic indicators. A need for further validation by the research community is noted. (The Hwalek-Sengstock Elder Abuse Screening Protocol is included.) (ABL)