NCJ Number
145404
Journal
Journal of Elder Abuse and Neglect Volume: 3 Issue: 1 Dated: (1991) Pages: 53-64
Date Published
1991
Length
12 pages
Annotation
This article presents a model for understanding and analyzing acts of abuse. Using a semiological approach, the authors explain that three persons, a victim, perpetrator and witness, are needed to understand the form and content of an abusive act.
Abstract
Semiology is the science of meaning. Central to semiology is the idea that concepts have two parts, form and content. A semiological approach is used to define abuse taking into consideration the social and moral aspects of the term as well as its medical and psychological nature. Abuse is seen as more than just the act of a perpetrator that results in an injury to the victim. It is a social act that is violent or abusive only if it is judged to be illegitimate by a witness such as a health or social worker. The form of abuse involves an interaction between two people where the personal boundaries of one are violated. Analyzing the content of this violation of boundaries involves a third person's interpretation of the meaning and morality of the action. 4 figures