NCJ Number
226978
Journal
Journal of Elder Abuse & Neglect Volume: 21 Issue: 2 Dated: April 2009 Pages: 141-155
Date Published
April 2009
Length
15 pages
Annotation
This article reports on the findings of focus groups of women age 50 and older who have experienced domestic violence, with attention to what they want and need from agencies that provide victim services.
Abstract
Five major themes emerged from the focus groups: the importance of family and friends, participants’ trust in physicians and mitigated trust in ministers, interest in understanding law enforcement, the importance of language in outreach and intervention, and appropriate outreach and services desired. The women expressed reluctance to share their abuse with family and friends due to the shame and embarrassment that would come from shattering the image of a good marriage. They particularly wanted to shield their children from knowing about the abuse, so as not to undermine positive images of their father. Women were more likely to share their abuse with family and friends if the abuse was in a new relationship, but only if the abuse was extreme. The women generally were aware of the existence of domestic violence shelters, but viewed them as being for younger women. The women did not believe that the domestic violence language that service providers used applied to their situation. They feared being labeled as crime victims. The women believed that the most helpful response would be having a place where they could gather to talk with women similar to themselves about their experiences and how they were coping with their abuse. Most of the women did not believe that their ministers would actively intervene in their marriages, or have the knowledge and experience needed to have a positive impact on their situations. The women were interested in learning more about the options available to them through the criminal justice system. 16 references and appended focus group scenario and discussion questions