Violence Against Women Act established federal domestic violence crimes that may be applied in cases of elder abuse.
These federal crimes are limited, however, to abuse that occurs in the federal territories or involves crossing state, federal or tribal boundaries to commit or attempt to commit a crime of violence against an intimate partner (18 U.S.C. 2261), to stalk or harass (in person or by mail or computer)(18 U.S.C. 2261A), or to violate a qualifying protection order (18 U.S.C. 2262).