Practitioner views on the impacts, challenges, and barriers in supporting older survivors of sexual violence

Bows, H.

Abstract

Despite half a century of research on both sexual violence and elder abuse, the intersection between the two remains largely unexplored. Using theoretical lenses of feminist criminology and critical feminist gerontology, this article explores the intersection between age and sexual violence drawing on interviews with 23 practitioners supporting older survivors (aged 60 and over). They reported physical and emotional effects of sexual violence leading to limited lifestyles, disengagement from social networks, and reliance on pathogenic coping strategies. Provision of effective support was complicated by challenges associated with aging bodies and the social stigma associated with both sexual victimhood and older age. Additional challenges lay in supporting older male survivors and those living with dementia. The article ends by discussing implications for practice and an agenda for future research.

Citation

Bows, H. (2018). Practitioner views on the impacts, challenges, and barriers in supporting older survivors of sexual violence. Violence Against Women, 24(9), 1070-1090. https://doi.org/10.1177/1077801217732348

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jul 21, 2017
• Online Publication Date: Oct 25, 2017
• Publication Date: Jul 1, 2018
• Deposit Date: Jul 21, 2017
• Publicly Available Date: Jul 21, 2017
• Journal: Violence Against Women
• Print ISSN: 1077-8012
• Electronic ISSN: 1552-8448
• Publisher: SAGE Publications
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 24
• Issue: 9
• Pages: 1070-1090
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1077801217732348
• Public URL: https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1352529