This study examined the prevalence and correlates of emotional, physical, sexual, financial mistreatment and neglect among adults 60 years and older in the United States. Computer assisted telephone interviews were conducted with 5,777 adults. Mistreatment reported in the past year included: 4.5% emotional abuse, 1.6% physical abuse, 0.6% sexual abuse, and 5.1% neglect. Correlates of mistreatment were low social support and a previous traumatic event. Prevention programs should enhance social support through a variety of different community services to lower the risk of interpersonal violence among older adults.
These summaries were written by SVPEP staff and are based on original papers published within the last 6 years. The information available on this web site is provided as a public service and does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the U.S. Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, the Arizona Department of Health Services, or the University of Arizona. To conduct an individual search or locate older articles use the Search Summary Database which includes over 600 articles related to sexual violence.
Vulnerability
Acierno, R., Hernandez, M. A., Amstadter, A. B., Resnick, H. S., Steve, K., Muzzy, W., & Kilpatrick D. G. (2010). Prevalence and correlates of emotional, physical, sexual, and financial abuse and potential neglect in the United States: The National Elder Mistreatment Study. American Journal of Public Health, 100, 292-297.
Tue, 2010-03-16
Approximately 1 in 10 (11%) of older adults reported at least 1 form of mistreatment in the past year.
Neglect may have several different definitions. Respondents may not have reported all types of neglect.
Basile, K. C. & Smith, S. G. (2011). Sexual violence victimization of women: Prevalence, characteristics, and the role of public health and prevention. American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine. DOI:10.1177/1559827611409512.
Tue, 2011-12-06
Primary prevention in health care settings may reduce the prevalence of rape and other sexual violence.
This article provides a comprehensive review of the current literature available on factors which increase vulnerability for victimization, impacts of rape and other sexual violence, and approaches to prevent sexual violence. Vulnerability factors include specific demographics, history of child maltreatment, and substance use and abuse. Physical, sexual, and psychological impacts as well as social and relationship impacts are examined. The economic impact of sexual violence is also reviewed citing that women with a history of sexual victimization generally use more medical services than their counterparts and have been found to show a 56% increase of medical visits in the second year after rape. Authors discuss the importance and current practices of primary prevention to reduce prevalence. Health care settings should be used to assess women for vulnerabilities, educate and train young men who display risk factors on bystander intervention strategies, and educate adolescent patients on the risks associated with alcohol.
Primary prevention methods focused on health care settings and did not examine community based interventions.
Collier, B., Ghie-Richmond, D., Odette, F., & Pyne, J. (2006). Reducing the risk of sexual abuse for people who use augmentative and alternative communication. Augmentative and Alternative Communication, 22, 62-75.
Mon, 2007-10-01
People with disabilities who use augmentative and alternative communication expressed needs for information on healthy sexuality and sexual abuse.
Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) is used by people who have difficulty speaking, and includes signing systems as well as communication devices and tablets. This article describes “Speak Up – Safeguarding People who use Augmentative Communication from Sexual Abuse/Victimization,” a 3-year program to identify and address issues related to intimate relationships, sexuality, and abuse. Most of the 26 participants (14 males, 12 females) requested information on healthy sexuality and disability as well as dealing with sexual abuse. Most reported that they had not received this information from parents, schools, or helping professionals. Other types of abuse were also discussed. Initially, some participants did not recognize abusive experiences in their lives because the behavior was so common that it was not considered unusual. Over the study period, half of participants requested counseling services to address issues of past or on-going abuse. Barriers to education and services were considerable for this population, as most legal and health system professionals have limited understanding of AAC, and many AAC systems did not include vocabulary that would allow people to discuss sex or abuse. To meet the identified needs of the participants, the researchers prepared educational materials for their use (available online) and developed resources and recommendations for families and service providers (available online and appended to the article).
This was not a representative study; participants were both self-selected and selected by researchers for their ability to communicate in group settings. The researchers deliberately chose not to ask participants about their experiences of sexual abuse. For these reasons, the information shared by participants should be considered anecdotal.
Eckert, L. O., & Sugar, N. F. (2008). Older victims of sexual assault: An underrecognized population. American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology, 198, 688.e1-688.e7.
Fri, 2008-08-01
Characteristics of assault in the elderly population differ from those of middle aged and younger women.
Over a 9 year period, 2,399 women were evaluated after presenting to emergency department after a sexual assault to determine if characteristics of assault differ as women age. Three different age groups were examined; 20-39 years, 40-55 years, and 55 years of age and older. Some of the characteristics that varied by age included; location of assault, relationship to perpetrator, number of perpetrators, likelihood of impairment at time of assault, body trauma, and genital trauma.
The sample only contains women seeking medical treatment from assault. Underreporting of assault in older age group can be expected due the special needs of the population.
Finch, E., & Munro, V. E. (2005). Juror stereotypes and blame attribution in rape cases involving intoxicants: The findings of a pilot study. British Jounal of Criminology, 45, 25-38.
Sat, 2005-01-01
This study addresses the issue of drug-assisted rapes by presenting the results of a pilot study involving juror stereotypes and blame attributions.
The authors outline some of the difficulties in defining drug-assisted rape; particularly, the impact drugs such as Rohypnol and GHB have by inducing amnesiac effects and reducing the possibility of consent. Noteworthy is the very fact that the inability to provide consent lies at the core of what defines rape. However, the authors note also that the issue of consent is without legal specification – whether in its definition or in determining the absence or presence thereof. The pilot study involved two focus groups and a trial simulation whereby four themes influenced the participants’ decision-making process: victim’s responsibility, defendant’s intentions, the parity of the parties’ intoxication, and the victim’s response to intoxication. Participants’ attribution of blame and responsibility were impacted by misperceptions concerning the actual impact of such drugs, belief in rape myths, and consideration of the defendant’s motivation in administering intoxicants.
Littleton, H., Axsom, D., & Grills-Taquechel, A. (2009). Sexual assault victim’s acknowledgement status and revictimization. Psychology of Women Quarterly, 33, 34-42.
Wed, 2010-06-23
Sexual assault victims who do not label an experience as rape or victimization may be a greater risk of revictimization than those who do.
The purpose of this study was to compare revictimization risk behaviors among women who labeled an experience as rape or victimization (acknowledged) with those who did not (unacknowledged). Data was collected from 334 women from 3 southeastern universities using an online survey. A 6-month follow-up survey was completed by 105 of the participants. Results indicated that unacknowledged assaults were less violent and less likely involved physical force and threats. Unacknowledged victims were more likely to be binge drinking at the time of the assault and more likely to continue a relationship with the perpetrator following the assault. Significant group differences were found only in reports of attempted rape at the follow-up period. Future research should examine how a victim’s acknowledgment status and risk behaviors, specifically alcohol use, may impact sexual revictimization.
Demographic diversity between groups may have attributed to differences in revictimization rates.
Livingston, J. A., Hequembourg, M. T., & VanZile-Tamsen, C. (2007). Unique aspects of adolescent sexual victimization experiences. Psychology of Women Quarterly, 31, 331-343.
Mon, 2008-09-01
Adolescent females may experience an increased risk of sexual victimization due to a combination of developmental, vulnerability, lifestyle, and environmental factors.
Between 2000 and 2002 in Erie County, New York in-person interviews were conducted with 1,014 women between the ages of 18 and 30 to investigate factors that may lead to an increased vulnerability to sexual aggression during adolescence. Of the 1,014 women interviewed, women who indicated sexual victimization since age 14, 319 completed a brief event-based interview. The study used quantitative and qualitative methods to pursue two goals: identify contexts in which adolescent girls experience sexual aggression and to identify factors within those contexts that may contribute to vulnerability. The findings indicated that the following were the most common developmental influences: inexperience with sex and dating, social and relationship status concerns, and powerlessness. Sexual victimization was most often experienced in the context of intimate relationships (40%). The second most common was in the context of social gatherings (36%), in which most incidents involved substance use by the perpetrator (82%), the victim (76%), or both.
Sample included retrospective reports from women in one community that had telephones in their homes.
Ramsey-Klawsnik, H., Teaster, P. B., Mendiondo, M. S., Marcum, J. L., & Abner, E. L. (2008). Sexual predators who target elders: findings from the first national study of sexual abuse in care facilities. Journal of Elder Abuse & Neglect, 20, 353-376.
Wed, 2011-01-05
The rate of case substantiation (27%) is lower among residents living in care facilities than the national average substantiation rate (46%) for all types of elder abuse.
This article reported findings from the first national study of sexual abuse of vulnerable adults living in care facilities. Sexual abuse reports, investigations, and case outcomes from 429 cases from May 2005 through October 2005 were examined. Case data was obtained from abuse and regulatory agencies in 5 states: New Hampshire, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas, and Wisconsin. Survey results indicated that a majority of the alleged perpetrators were male facility staff and residents. While more facility staff was accused of sexual assault than residents, more residents were confirmed as perpetrators. Some offenders had criminal histories, including sexual assault. A majority of victims were female and suffered from dementia (64%), less than half could easily communicate, and 7% were unable to communicate in any way. Victims suffered from cognitive (48%), psychiatric (40%), physical (38%), and developmental (8%) disabilities. Recommendations included: better screening of employees and residents, checking criminal records, obtaining employment references, and enhancing criminal justice involvement. Training for facility staff to recognize abuse and how to respond appropriately was also recommended.
Data was only collected from 5 states and may not be generalizable to other areas in the United States.
Sochting, I., Fairbrother, N., & Koch, W. J. (2004). Sexual assault of women: Prevention efforts and risk factors. Violence Against Women, 10, 73-93.
Thu, 2004-01-01
This review article summarizes the research on the effectiveness of different types of rape prevention programs, including attitude change and self-defense programs.
A review of the body of literature on risk factors for sexual assault is also presented. Strategies for improving rape prevention programs are highlighted and include identifying targets for behavioral change based on risk factors and training women in rape resistance strategies. Results suggested that attitude change was a less effective prevention approach.
Stermac, L., Del Bove, G., Addison, M. (2004). Stranger and acquaintance sexual assault of adult males. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 19, 901-915.
Fri, 2006-12-01
Sexual assaults of males by strangers tend to occur outdoors and are more likely to involve weapons and multiple perpetrators than assaults perpetrated by acquaintances. Severity and types of injuries due to sexual assault are similar in men and women.
In this descriptive study, researchers looked at the records of three groups of clients at a Canadian Sexual Assault Care Center: male victims of stranger assault (n=64); male victims of non-stranger assault (n=81); and female victims of non-stranger assault (n=106). Male survivors from both groups were more likely to be living in shelters, institutions (such as transitional housing) or on the street. They were also significantly more likely to have a physical disability than female victims of non-stranger assault. While acquaintance assaults of men and women usually took place in the assailant’s home (44.3% vs. 43.4%), male acquaintance assaults were significantly more likely to take place in an institution (10.1% vs 0%). Stranger assaults of men were more likely to take place outside, involve multiple perpetrators, and involve use of a weapon, although injuries were similar among the groups. All received similar levels of care at the hospital, although men were admitted more often than women. The findings suggested that men who were homeless and disabled were at higher risk for sexual assault by strangers, and that safer housing options were needed.
Waugh, I. M. (2010). Examining the sexual harassment experiences of Mexican immigrant farmworking women. Violence Against Women, 16, 237-261.
Wed, 2011-03-30
Female farm workers may face different disadvantages due to the intersection of gender, race, class, as well as, limited social and economic resources that are atypical from other groups of women who experience sexual harassment.
This article examined sexual harassment experiences among 150 Mexican immigrant female farm workers in California. The study focused on factors that increased women’s risk of sexual harassment, how female farm worker’s experiences may differ from other groups of women, and how power and agency limit response options are specifically discussed. Results indicated that 97% of the women reported sexual harassment from coworkers and superiors and of those, 53% reported physical and verbal advances, gross sexual imposition, and rape. Twenty-four percent of women who reported harassment also reported sexual coercion or on-the-job blackmail. Women reported a variety of responses that ranged from confronting to ignoring the perpetrator and several physical and psychological health effects. Female farm workers should be made aware of sexual harassment policies and their right to work in safe environments. Perpetrators, contractors, and agricultural companies must be held accountable for their actions.
The sample consisted of women of Mexican descent in California and may not be generalizable to women from other countries of origin or women in working in other regions of the United States.
Wenzel, S. L., Tucker, J. S., Hambarsoomian, K., & Elliott, M. N. (2006). Toward a more comprehensive understanding of violence against impoverished women. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 21, 820-839.
Wed, 2010-06-23
Physical, sexual, and psychological violence against impoverished women usually surpasses annual estimates for the general population.
The purpose of this study was to offer insight to a population of women that are often underrepresented in surveys and therefore, are not provided with necessary prevention and intervention services. The sample was from Central Los Angeles County and included 460 women living in temporary shelters and 438 women living in low-income housing. All participants were between the ages of 18 and 55 and were mostly African American or Hispanic/Latina. Researchers used behavior-based questions to assess physical, sexual, and psychological violence experienced among the two groups of women during the past 6 months. Prevalence, diversity of perpetrators, severity, and co-occurring violence were higher for women living in shelters than women living in low-income housing. Findings suggested that safe, stable housing may lower the risk for violence in this population. Prevention screenings and interventions were recommended, particularly for women of color.
The study sample was selected from Central Los Angeles County; thus, findings may not be generalizeable to other regions in the U.S.