Older women and domestic violence

1
Older women and domestic violence

• Presentation to AEA
• 14th February, 2005
• by Imogen Blood
• Consultant to
• Help the Aged/
• Research Fellow University of Salford

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Dont want people knowing their business
Not sexually active
Vulnerable
Have traditional views about relationships
OLDER WOMEN
Not economically active
Easily shocked need to be protected from the
modern world
Nurturers and carers
Settled dont want any more life changes
Wont want to talk about personal, traumatic
experiences
If it was so bad, shed have left him by now
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How might the dynamics of abusive relationships
change over time and as both partners grow older?
Why do older survivors of domestic violence still
tend to remain hidden?
How might services make themselves more
accessible to older survivors and help to
facilitate the process of disclosure?
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Impact on domestic violence dynamics of.
Dependence on (husbands/ joint) pension/ savings
Psychological impact on abuser? e.g. reduced
social status
Change in social networks
.. RETIREMENT
Couple spend more time together
Greater risk of isolation from outside world
Reduced employment prospects for woman if chooses
to leave
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Impact on domestic violence dynamics of.
Pressure from adult children to remain in
relationship
Fear of having to care?
Cycle of violence? They may also abuse
Shame?
CHILDREN BECOMING ADULTS
Fear of losing inheritance?
Woman may now feel able to leave
Support/ pressure from children to leave?
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Impact on domestic violence dynamics of.
If victim needs care may fear institutionalisation
on disclosure
Reduced mobility - difficult to get out for
break/ help
If victim becomes carer may feel duty to stay
. DECLINING HEALTH
Perpetrator may be unable to continue abusing (in
same way)
Consequences of injuries worsen as victim becomes
frailer?
Different types of abuse - neglect? emotional?
More professional involvement - reduced
opportunities for abuse increased opportunities
for detection/ disclosure
Shift in balance of power in relationship? Victim
may abuse in revenge
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Impact on domestic violence dynamics of.
May start new, abusive relationship this may be
first experience of abuse
Abuse ends but emotional impact continues...
DEATH OF/ SEPARATION FROM PREVIOUS PARTNER
Other family members (especially sons) may take
over where father left off
Survivor may lack confidence skills for
independent living after years of abuse
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Where are the older survivors?

• Less likely to disclose/ seek help?
• Others make assumptions?
• Professionals and kin may miss the signs?
• Less likely to be asked?
• Gap between elder abuse domestic violence?
• Services may not be easily accessible?
• Services may not be appropriate?

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I would have been so ashamed if anyone found
out. I still would be. Even now, no one knows
except my family. Its more open now but I still
wouldnt tell anyone. The neighbours must have
known, I suppose, but I did everything I could to
hide it from them. And they never let on, never
said a word. Quote from interview by Hague
Wilson (1996) THE SILENCED PAIN Domestic
violence 1945 - 1970
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Improving service provision

• Awareness raising and training
• Specialist services refuge/ community
• Sheltered housing?
• Links between older peoples and domestic
  violence services referrals, training, joint
  work
• Monitoring, research and consultation
• Consistency between domestic violence adult
  protection policies and procedures