NCJ Number
205574
Journal
Journal of Elder Abuse & Neglect Volume: 15 Issue: 1 Dated: 2003 Pages: 3-18
Date Published
2003
Length
16 pages
Annotation
This study examined victimization risk for domestic violence and stalking among older adults.
Abstract
Important gaps remain in our understanding of elder victimization; most victimization studies have focused on a much younger population because younger adults and adolescents have been identified as most at risk. Data were drawn from the National Violence Against Women Survey (NVAW), which contains information about physical and sexual victimization, including stalking. The study focused on a group of 3,622 adults aged 55 years and older. Information was extracted regarding respondent characteristics, partner characteristics, intimate partner violence, and stalking. Results of multivariate analyses revealed results similar to results found in younger female populations; women aged 55 and older were significantly more likely than their male counterparts to experience both stalking and physical assault victimization. Racial differences also emerged and indicated that African-American and Hispanic women aged 55 and older were at higher risk for intimate partner violence than their White counterparts. No racial differences were observed for stalking or physical assault victimization. The findings underscore the fact that intimate partner violence is a problem for older women; as the size of the older population expands in coming years, more attention will need to be focused on how to prevent, intervene, and address this type of violence. Tables, references