From May 22 through June 18, moviegoers in nearly two dozen states will see a 15-second video on elder abuse before the start of the movie trailers. This is the first time that one unified message regarding elder mistreatment will be echoed simultaneously throughout the country, according to the U.S. Administration on Aging’s National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA). It’s part of the group’s national “Join Us in the Fight Against Elder Abuse” campaign, a first-ever national effort to raise awareness of elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation.

Around 700 movie screens in 27 major metropolitan areas throughout the country will air the message. (Click here to see if it’s playing in a theater near you.) If you’re a Lost fan, you’ll appreciate that the message is delivered by actor William Mapother.

“Each year, hundreds of thousands of older persons are abused, neglected, and exploited. Yet, only about one in five of those crimes is ever discovered,” Acting Assistant Secretary for Aging Edwin L. Walker said in the press release. “The NCEA’s sobering message, to be viewed by millions in theaters across our country . . . is an opportunity to shed light on the tragic problem of elder abuse and perhaps save lives.”

The video was produced for the NCEA by the University of Delaware, with help from the State of Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services. For more information about the “Join Us” campaign, and for ideas on how you get involved, visit the NCEA’s site or call (302) 831-3525.