Sexual Violence Against Older People

Research on sexual violence has been a growing area of academic study since the 1970s. However, the focus of these efforts has centred on younger women, leaving older women largely ignored in research. This book presents data from the first UK study to examine the extent, nature and impacts of sexual violence against people aged 60 and over. Drawing on both quantitative analysis of reported cases of sexual violence against people over 60 and qualitative interviews with practitioners in sexual violence and age-related organisations as well as survivors of sexual violence, this book situates the research findings in the context of feminist criminology and gerontology, and sets an agenda for future research, policy and practice. Sexual Violence against Older People is vital reading for practitioners and policymakers, and those engaged in studies of criminology, health and nursing, social work, elder abuse and violence against women.

This book offers an analytical review of the state of knowledge on elderly sexual abuse and presents new data that will confront some of the accepted ideas and some of the myths associated with this specific form of sexual violence. Sexual violence research has often considered children to be the most vulnerable population. However, another population just as vulnerable to sexual abuse but often overlooked by researchers, is the elderly. Evidence shows that elderly victims are more likely to be attacked by strangers, most likely to be victimized in their own homes, and are usually less capable of resisting a physical attack. Drawing on a large and representative dataset, Elderly Sexual Abuse offers a full and theoretically informed picture of the offenders and their crimes. In addition to a specific chapter devoted to prevention and criminal investigation, the book also connects research to practice, exploring what the findings mean for professionals working with these cases and the criminal justice system. This book is essential reading for all those engaged with sexual violence, victimization, elder abuse, and vulnerable populations.

Learn the causes of—and consequences from—elder abuse of men For the most part, often only women are considered the victims of elder abuse. However, men are also subject to this disturbing social problem. Abuse of Older Men examines the diverse aspects of this surprisingly widespread issue that includes sexual abuse, abuse by intimates, and benign neglect in the health care field, as well as effective treatment strategies. This unique resource provides the latest research and crucial discussions of why the problem is often invisible, under-studied, and under-treated. Detailed explorations include risk assessment, differential detection of abuse of one gender over the other, the risk of abandonment, economic exploitation, and the issues of older men who had been abused in childhood. In the past, elder abuse literature has—quite correctly—mainly focused on the abuse of women, who represent the majority of older persons. Abuse of Older Men expands the discussion of this distressing social challenge to include the other gender, reviewing the different types of abuse and the reasons why it is not readily apparent in today’s society. This compelling text examines in detail the causes and consequences of elder abuse of men. The under-reporting of abuse is addressed, along with suggestions on ways to better approach various problems. This insightful resource is extensively referenced and provides tables to clearly present data. Issues discussed in Abuse of Older Men include: intimate partner abuse perpetrated against older men sexual abuse of older men in nursing homes the impact of gender on the reporting of elder abuse neglectful aspects of osteoporosis in older men past relationships that increase the risk of the neglect of older fathers news accounts that repost the frequency and types of abuse against men identifying and treating victims societal forces that affect older men’s risk of mistreatment recommendations for structuring services to better meet victim’s needs the social construction of manhood as an important factor in understanding the abuse of older men Abuse of Older Men provides crucial information practitioners, educators, researchers, and students in social work, nursing, medicine, law, gerontology, adult protective services, criminal justice, sociology, psychology, domestic violence, counseling, ethics, public policy, and aging networks.

This book brings together international research from scholars and activists on the forms of violence that older women experience into a unique, comprehensive two-volume set. This volume is concerned with understanding the consequences and impacts of violence against older women. The majority of policy and practice has been developed to reflect the dynamics and contexts of violence affecting young women, and most of the available support services had focused on the needs of those of child-bearing age. This volume sheds light on the specific needs and effectiveness of responses to violence against older women, and identifies both challenges and opportunities for developing services that meet older survivor's needs. It will be of interest to researchers in social and health care, gerontology, sociology and social policy, feminist research and criminology.

This book brings together international research from scholars and activists on the forms of violence that older women experience into a unique, comprehensive two-volume set. This first volume consolidates the research on the forms, causes and extent of different forms of violence against older women. It considers the theoretical limitations of our understandings and charts the gaps in empirical and theoretical research in this area and how this has hindered effective policy and practice responses to violence against older women. Taken together, this volume offers an important starting point from which future research can draw to address the gaps in knowledge and evidence. It also highlights issues that are particular to older women’s experiences of violence compared with younger women. It highlights gaps in existing research and suggests a future research agenda and implications for practitioners. It will be of interest to researchers in social and health care, gerontology, sociology and social policy, feminist research and criminology.

Product Description: Addresses key issues facing older people and our entire society. Topics include care pathway model, guidelines for health care professionals, understanding elder abuse in minority populations, moral and ethical implications of elder abuse, sexual violence against elderly women, helping victims, and more. For public health personnel.

Helping mental health clinicians anticipate, recognize and respond to elder abuse, this book quickly summarizes risk and protective factors, the important role of cognition and capacity and clinicians' legal and ethical obligations to report suspected or known elder abuse.

Written by leading experts in the field, this timely collection highlights current strategies and thinking in relation to prevention of sexual violence and critically considers the limitations of these frameworks. Combining psychological, criminological, sociological and legal perspectives, it explores academic, practitioner and survivor points of view. It addresses broad themes, from cultures of sexual harassment to the role of media in oversexualising women and girls, as well as specific issues including violence against children and older people. For researchers, practitioners and students alike, this is an invaluable resource that maps new approaches for practice and prevention.