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The other side of late‐life intimacy? Sexual violence in later life
Author(s) -
Bows Hannah
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
australasian journal on ageing
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.63
H-Index - 34
eISSN - 1741-6612
pISSN - 1440-6381
DOI - 10.1111/ajag.12728
Subject(s) - sexual life , psychology , sexual assault , sexual violence , qualitative research , psychiatry , suicide prevention , medicine , poison control , criminology , medical emergency , sociology , gynecology , social science
Objectives To explore the extent, nature and consequences of sexual violence in later life. Methods Data were obtained from all police forces in England, Wales and Northern Ireland on rape and sexual assault by penetration (Sexual Offences Act 2003) offences involving a victim aged ≥ 60 years, recorded between 1 January 2009 and 31 December 2013. Qualitative interviews were conducted with 27 practitioners working in specialist violence or age‐related organisations and with three female survivors. Results The majority of victims were female, and most offenders were male. Offenders were generally younger than victims, and most offences occurred in the victim's home, although one in five occurred in a care home. Physical, psychological and social consequences were described which create specific challenges in accessing and receiving support. Conclusion An intersectional life course analysis of sexual violence is required to develop a better understanding of the consequences, particularly for older women.