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Domestic Violence in Later LifeElder Sexual Assault

Elder Abuse

Issues for elder victims

In other pages on this web site, we have described the dynamics of domestic and sexual violence, and provided information about seeking help.  In this section, we focus on the characteristics that are unique to elder sexual assault and domestic violence in later life.

*Rennison C, Rand MR. Nonlethal Intimate Partner Violence Against Women: A Comparison of Three Age Cohorts. Violence Against Women 2003;9:1417-28.

Sexual abuse is believed to be the least reported of all victimizations against the elderly. (“Elder Sexual Assault” brochure. PA Coalition Against Rape.)

Domestic violence against elder victims is not caused by caregiver stress, poor family communication, or poor care-giving techniques. It is caused by power and control. To assume otherwise minimizes the potential life-threatening nature of abuse. (Brandl B, Raymond JA. Family Violence in Later Life. In: Zorza J, ed. Violence Against Women. Kingston, NJ: Civic Research Institute, Inc., 2002.)