Sexual violence against older women

Abstract

Sexual violence is typically thought of as an issue affecting younger women; however, studies consistently show that older women can also be victimised, with severe impacts on their mental and physical health and well-being. Despite this, sexual violence against older women has largely been neglected in research, policy and practice, and older women’s voices have not been heard. In this chapter, the authors argue that restrictive and paternalistic stereotypes of older women as ‘vulnerable’ and an over-reliance on theoretical frameworks that do not speak to the gendered and intersectional experience of older victims/survivors have resulted in a lack of robust research to guide practice and stymied effective responses across law, health and society. Applying a lens of feminist gerontology, the chapter suggests that the diversity of older women’s experiences of sexual violence, as well as their agency and resilience, urgently need to be recognised to raise awareness in the broader community and prevent ongoing harm. The authors advocate for an approach to sexual violence against older women that moves ‘beyond vulnerability’ towards responses that are trauma-informed, culturally safe, and - where relevant - dementia-friendly.