Citation

Alon S, Tuma N, Band-Winterstein T, Goldblatt H. J. Am. Psychiatr. Nurs. Assoc. 2018; 24(1): 53-61.

Affiliation

4 Hadass Goldblatt, PhD, Deaprtment of Nursing, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018, American Psychiatric Nurses Association, Publisher SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/1078390317712598

PMID

28569089

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The sexual abuse phenomenon is considered taboo. It has been discussed, to date, mainly in relation to children and young women, with insufficient attention to sexual abuse in a late-life context.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this survey was to explore professionals' awareness of elder sexual abuse (ESA).

DESIGN: The survey was conducted among 161 Jewish and Arab professionals from health care and social services, who worked with older adults in Israel.

RESULTS: Of the entire sample, 70 professionals (only 43%) reported encountering at least one to three cases of ESA. A total of 98% of the victims were women, and the primary offender was the spouse (75%). In most cases (70%), the victim reported the abuse, which was mainly sexual assault (64%). All participants (100%) noted taking action.

CONCLUSION: This exploratory survey indicates that professionals are partially aware of the existence of and the need to address the ESA phenomenon.

Language: en

Keywords

awareness; elder abuse; elder mistreatment; elder sexual abuse; intimate partner violence; older adults; survey