These summaries were written by SVPEP staff and are based on original papers published within the last 5 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.

Acierno, R., Resnick, H., Kilpatrick, D., & Stark-Riemer, W. (2003). Assessing elder victimization: Demonstration of a methodology. Social Psychiatry & Psychiatric Epidemiology, 38, 644-653.

Summary: New methodology to assess interpersonal violence has incorporated contextually orienting preface statements and specific behavioral descriptions of victimization events. This methodology, however, has been limited to younger populations and has not been used in assessing elder victimization. The purposes of this study were to assess the effectiveness of the methodology with elderly individuals; measure lifespan physical, sexual, and emotional violence victimization by familial and non-familial perpetrators; assess victim psychopathology; and compare the impact of an in-person interview format with that of a telephone interview format. Participants (N = 106) were 55 to 85 years of age. The sample consisted of both police-referred victims (n = 47) of various crimes, as well as randomly selected individuals from telephone directories (n = 59). Participants were randomly selected to be interviewed in-person or by telephone. Each participant was administered a modified version of the National Women’s Study survey. The survey assessed interpersonal violence, psychopathology, and categorical independent variables (sample source and interview methodology type). Results showed that among non-police referred participants, the survey methodology proved sensitive in identifying instances of interpersonal violence. Among all participants, results indicated that interview format did not influence rates of detection for recent and distant victimization and psychopathology. The only differences noted by interview format were that telephone interviews were performed more quickly and interview safety was ranked higher than within in-person interviews. Furthermore, informal queries of participants revealed that the telephone format was preferable for a number of reasons, such as comfort level in disclosure and interviewer and victim safety. In concluding, the authors noted possible biases in the study, among which included the small sample size due to the nature of the project (i.e., a pilot feasibility demonstration project).

Topics: disclosure; elderly; evaluation

Burgess, A. W., & Morgenbesser, L. I. (2005). Sexual violence and seniors. Brief Treatment and Crisis Intervention, 5, 193-202.

Summary: Sexual violence against women aged 60 years and older has not garnered enough attention. In this article, the authors outline key issues related to the risk factors, psychological and physical impact, role of forensic services, and therapy unique to elderly victims of sexual assault. That is, reasons why the literature on sexual violence has overlooked elderly victims are reviewed. Additionally, the authors discuss: early recognition and detection tactics, intervention services addressing signs and symptoms of physical and emotional trauma, specifics concerning forensic examinations on elderly victims, therapy focusing on individual counseling (concerning rape trauma symptoms and rape trauma syndrome), group counseling and music therapy, living situations (independent/assisted living or nursing home), interventions for relatives of abused elderly, prevention suggestions, crisis intervention, and recommendations for nursing home staff – e.g., the need to establish behavioral baselines upon admission of new residents in order to identify victimization responses should abuse occur within the nursing home.

Topics: disabled; elderly; victim services

Del Bove, G., Stermac, L., & Bainbridge, D. (2005). Comparisons of sexual assault among older and younger women. Journal of Elder Abuse & Neglect, 17, 1-18. [Posted August 2007]

Key Points: Older victims were more likely to be sexually assaulted in their homes and were more likely to live alone than younger women.

Summary: This study compared sexual assault of older and younger women by reviewing medical records of those treated at a sexual assault care center in Ontario, Canada. The authors divided women into three groups by age: young (15-30 years; n=78), mid-age (31-54 years; n=73), and eldest (55-87; n=61). Elder women were more likely to be cognitively disabled than women in the younger groups. Older women were more socially isolated: they were more likely to live alone and significantly less likely to be accompanied to the care center by a friend than either of the other groups. More than half (51%) of elders were attacked in their homes, compared with 20% of mid-age women and 19% of young women. There was no significant difference found between the groups in the relationship of the attacker to the victim: about 40% of all assailants were strangers, and acquaintances were responsible for between 35-48% of attacks. Significant differences were not found in the type(s) of assault, injuries sustained, or need for hospitalization, although there was a trend toward increased vaginal injuries in older women. Weapons were used more frequently on younger women; however, the same levels of physical violence and restraint were used against older and younger women. To develop preventive strategies, the authors recommended that further research be done with women in assisted care facilities (almost 15% of elder victims were living in group settings). They also suggested identifying the actual relationship of acquaintances to their victims, as this may differ by age group.

Topics: elderly, injury

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. [Posted August 2008]
 
Key Points: Characteristics of assault in the elderly population differ from those of middle aged and younger women.

Summary:  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.  

Limitations:  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. 

Topics: elderly, underserved populations, vulnerability

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Updated 09/18/08