Elder Abuse: Spouse/Intimate Partner Abuse and Family Violence Among Elders

Abstract

This article examines the experiences of 1,057 victims of domestic violence, age sixty-five and older who sought refuge, support and services from domestic violence programs between 1990 and 1995 in a large mid-western state. Specifically, the various circumstances of these elders in relation to age, gender, disability, types of abuse, relationship to the abuser, source of referral, and service needs are described. Although it is generally considered unusual for women over sixty who are victims of violence to seek services through domestic violence programs, this study substantiates that at least some elders who are victims of violence do so. The implications of the findings related to the unique needs of this population are discussed.