Web resource:	http://www.healthscotland.com/uploads/documents/DMViolenceReport.pdf
Type:	Report
Title:	'...and for 39 years I got on with it' : older women and domestic violence in Scotland
Authors:	Mckie, Linda Seddon, Elizabeth Morton, Sarah Scott, Marsha Wasoff, Fran
Keywords:	Mental health;Health;Personal stories;Older people
Categories:	Victims / Survivors
Year:	2004
Publisher:	Centre for Research on Families and relationships and NHS Health Scotland
Notes:	General Overview:The authors consider the services available for older women experiencing domestic abuse in Scotland and note that the possibility that older women may have specific needs is simply not on the domestic abuse agenda. Objective: The paper asks four questions. Firstly, how are older women's experiences and circumstances different from those of younger women? What do we know about the prevalence of domestic abuse among older women, and what are the gaps? What are the effective interventions and who is providing them? What are recommendations for policy, programs and further research? Methods: The authors conducted a literature review, interviewed five survivors of abuse and five service providers/experts and conducted a telephone survey of service providers in Scotland. Literature on violence against older women often categorises this violence as elder abuse rather than domestic violence. Behaviour categorised as elder abuse often attracts a health care response rather than a criminal justice response, takes a gender neutral stance and casts the victim as dependent. While older women's experience of domestic violence is in many ways similar to that of younger women's, differences include attitudes about marriage, the role of shame, limited avenues for escaping abuse and the influence of older children. Further, while older women are frequently economically dependent on their partners, their partners are sometimes dependent on their wives for physical care. The older women are often suffering health consequences from the prolonged abuse, including anxiety, depression, eating disorders, phobias and panic attacks. They are sometimes unable to cope with living with children in refuges, needing peace and quiet. Some have tried to get help in escaping violence many times over decades, without success. The overseas literature provides some useful guidelines for service delivery, including improving access to services, training for staff and coordination/integration of services. Preventative action should focus on economic independence for older women. Safe housing for women and a legal system that locates responsibility with the perpetrator are also priorities. The final section of the paper outlines the legal remedies available to women experiencing domestic abuse, including family law, laws around occupancy of and exclusion from the family home, legal aid, the criminal law and housing legislation. Conclusion:Older women experiencing domestic abuse are nearly invisible in public policy, data and service provision. Creative strategies should be used to improve access for older women.
URI:	https://anrows.intersearch.com.au/anrowsjspui/handle/1/19213
Physical description:	59 p.
Appears in Collections:	Reports

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