OAKLAND -- Though instances of child abuse still regularly make media headlines and stir public outrage, in the past few years the steadily rising numbers of elder abuse cases in California have put this relatively new social problem in the spotlight. Situations where senior citizens become the victims of mental and physical abuse as well financial exploitation at the hands of family members or institutional workers have become all to common.

Oakland resident Mattie Hudspeth became increasingly reliant on a family member after her husband's death in 1998. In the space of less than a year after a relative moved into her home to provide better "care," Hudspeth's physical appearance deteriorated dramatically. Her once neat Oakland apartment was turned upside down and her finances were left in disarray.

Relatives say the family member became more and more controlling of Hudspeth as he took greater liberties with her money. Her daughter Norma remembers the first signs of problems: "He was takin' her credit cards, goin' back East, courtin' girls and stuff... And she'd have these big bills … that she wouldn't know anything about."

As the bills continued to pile up, Norma says she sensed something was seriously wrong and questioned her mother. Hudspeth always denied there was a problem.

Indeed, Alameda County Superior Court Judge Julie Conger says most victims of elder abuse are in denial. Judge Conger started her Elder Protection Court -- the first of its kind in the country -- earlier this year.

"That's where I saw the need. This is my 24th year on the bench, and I really saw that seniors would come and get lost in the shuffle," says Conger.

Now, on every Friday, Judge Conger's Elder Protection Court program serves seniors seeking restraining orders and testifying in felony abuse cases.

Hong Chew, who works with the non-profit organization Legal Assistance For Seniors and handles some 200 cases annually, is frequently in Conger's courtroom on Fridays. He expects the problem to grow as the nation's baby boomers begin to enter the stage of life in which they become more and more dependent on others.

"A lot of these abusers are relatives: children, grandchildren, cousins, nephews. And there are people that may have drug problems, that may have alcohol problems, they need money to feed these addictions and that starts the abuse," explains Chew.

Chew says while the state handles about 225,000 cases of elder abuse every year, it is a crime that is grossly under-reported.

"So it's not that it hasn't been happening. It's just awareness for elder abuse has been coming out in the last five years instead of 20 years for domestic violence or 20 years for child abuse," says Chew

Judge Conger acknowledges going to court can be daunting. That's why she takes special care of seniors who often come to her victimized by someone who's supposed to be taking care of them.

Many elder abuse victims are reluctant to come forward for fear of hurting the family member responsible for the abuse. Some are simply too ashamed to admit they've lost control of their lives.

Norma Andrews helped her mother go to Judge Congers' court and get a restraining order against her relative. Her mom Mattie Hudspeth died last August.

Norma still thinks about what she could have done to help give her mother more peace in her last years on earth. Now she can only give advice to others with loved ones who may be in similar circumstances: "Try and kind of monitor what's going on ... I know I wouldn't want anyone to do me like that."

While Judge Conger's Elder Protection Court is serving as a model for other programs in California, the judge hopes to see it spread across the nation.