Best Practices for Working with Rape Crisis Centers to Address Elder Sexual Abuse

• NCJ Number: 225502
• Journal: Journal of Elder Abuse & Neglect Volume: 20 Issue: 4 Dated: 2008 Pages: 306-322
• Author(s): Karla Vierthaler M.P.A.
• Date Published: 2008
• Length: 17 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Program/Project Description; Issue Overview
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

After presenting an overview of the rape crisis movement, this article considers why elders have been overlooked as potential targets of sexual assault and been underserved as victims.

Abstract

Despite the widespread availability of rape crisis services due to the rape crisis movement, elderly sexual assault victims generally are not seeking or being linked to these services. One reason for this is because today’s generation of adults over age 60 were raised in a sexist and racist society. For elderly victims of sexual assault, many of the feelings stemming from these societal beliefs have carried over to today. They experience feelings of guilt and shame, causing them to keep their victimization private. Another barrier to providing sexual assault services to elder victims is elders’ lack of understanding of legal definitions of sexual violence. Many elders as well as elder advocates, health care professionals, and the general public do not realize that in most jurisdictions sexual violence includes groping, which does not require that the victim fight back. Another barrier to elderly victims reporting their victimization and seeking services is their disabilities. They may be unable to use a telephone to call a rape crisis center, and some are unable to communicate or to travel to a rape crisis center for services. The most effective strategy for serving elderly victims of sexual violence is to link professionals in the rape crisis and aging fields. Holding training for a network of agencies in these fields is the best way to open lines of communication. In addition, adult protective services workers and other professionals working with elders should be members of sexual assault response (SART) teams. Lessons learned from the Pennsylvania Elder Sexual Abuse Project are discussed in providing guidance on professional collaboration regarding elder sexual abuse. 12 references