Older women experiencing domestic abuse or violence face unique challenges. In 2016, the charity Safe Lives published a report on Elder Abuse in the UK which shared some of these including:
- systematic invisibility
- long-term abuse and dependency issues
- generational attitudes about abuse making domestic abuse hard to identify
- increased risk of adult family abuse
- services not being targeted at older victims, and not always meeting their needs
- the need for more coordination between services.
The World Health Organisation defines elder abuse as
'...a single or repeated act, or lack of appropriate action, occurring within any relationship where there is an expectation of trust, which causes harm or distress to an older person. This type of violence constitutes a violation of human rights and includes physical, sexual, psychological, and emotional abuse; financial and material abuse; abandonment; neglect; and serious loss of dignity and respect.'
There is no excuse for abuse, of anyone, at any age. It's never ok, and it's never your fault.
Do you think you might be experiencing elder abuse, or are you worried someone else us?
We have a weekly free drop-in for women with a long-term health condition, impairment and/or women aged 55+ who are experiencing domestic abuse, and any friend or family member concerned about someone who fits into these groups. Read about Alice's experience of working at the drop in, here.
The drop in is non-judgemental, supportive and welcoming, You won't be made to talk about anything you're not ready to. We won't blame you for staying or not reporting. We won't tell the police or anyone else that you've been.
The drop-in runs every Monday from 10:30 am - 12:30 pm at Hove Library, 182-186 Church Road, Hove, BN3 2EG. Email us with any questions if you'd like to or just drop in - you don't need to book.
