Citation

Teaster PB, Ramsey-Klawsnik H, Abner EL, Kim S. J. Elder Abuse Negl. 2015; 27(4-5): 392-409.

Affiliation

a Center for Gerontology , Virginia Tech , Blacksburg , Virginia , USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2015, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/08946566.2015.1082453

PMID

26331674

Abstract

This study examined investigated and substantiated cases of sexual victimization of women ages 65+ living in facilities who received attention from APS and state licensing agencies in five states over a six-month allegation period. Descriptive bivariate analysis revealed allegations of 64 older women (M age = 81) experiencing sexual abuse. Abilities and needs of women whose cases were substantiated were statistically comparable to those unsubstantiated. Typically, sexual abuse involved molestation (53%) and unwelcome sexual interest in the woman's body (20%). Resident perpetrators were significantly more likely to be substantiated than staff or any other perpetrator relationship (?2 = 9.7, 2 df, p = 0.008). Data reveal a small but unremitting number of cases of older women especially vulnerable to this form of abuse and underscore the need to examine differences between male and female, young versus old, community-dwelling and facility victims, and the need to train on reporting and professional intervention by disciplines serving victims.

Language: en