Domestic Violence doesn`t
stop at sixty
2004
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 Domestic Violence doesn`t stop at sixty
The phrase ‘Domestic Violence’ brings to mind a young, vulnerable woman who
is trapped in a relationship from which she cannot detach herself. But the
truth is that women of any age may suffer from living with a violent
partner. Older women who do so are forced to suffer in silence says a new
report ‘Older Women and Domestic Violence’ by Help the Aged
and hact (Housing Associations' Charitable Trust). They are being let down
by professionals, service providers and ignored by policy makers because of
an inherent belief that domestic violence stops at sixty.
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A lack of research, little professional
awareness and services specifically tailored to their needs and a wide
spread confusion between elder abuse and domestic violence forces women over
sixty into an ambiguous hole between the two social issues.
Kate Jopling, Public Affairs Officer for Help the Aged explains; ’Society
has created a huge wall of ignorance around the issue of domestic violence
for older women. Older women have grown up in a culture when domestic
violence was not even considered a crime. Therefore they are less likely to
believe themselves a victim let alone report such violence. This is coupled
with stereotypical views that older women do not have intimate
relationships, and that older men are rarely a serious threat.’
The new report claims that:
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Lack of training for professionals and healthcare workers results in the
assumption that domestic violence is not an issue for older women and are
consequently unlikely to accurately identify signs.
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Marks of physical injury are often attributed
to falls.
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If an older women discloses incidences of such
violence it can be put down to confusion or dementia.
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There is a common believe that ‘it can’t be
that bad or she would have left years ago’.
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Issues faced by older women experiencing
domestic violence are common to women of all ages.
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However, older
women are more likely to have specific needs such as disability, mobility,
social or cultural issues.
In tackling
the issues faced by women over 60 the report recommends:
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Research to identify the scope of the problem
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Specific services designed to meet the needs of older women
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Closer working
relationship between workers in adult protection and the domestic violence
field
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Training and
support for professionals and healthcare workers to help identify and
support older women.
24 HOUR NATIONAL DOMESTIC VIOLENCE HELPLINE IS
AVAILABLE ON FREEPHONE 0808 2000 247
To order a copy of Older Women and Domestic Violence priced
£8, please contact
publications@helptheaged.org.uk
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