Sexual violence in older adults: a Belgian prevalence study

Abstract

Background Sexual violence (SV) is an important public health problem which may cause long-lasting health problems. SV in older adults remains neglected in research, policies and practices. Valid SV prevalence estimates and associated risk factors in older adults are currently unavailable. In this study we measured lifetime and past 12-months sexual victimisation in older adults living in Belgium, its correlates, assailant characteristics and the way that victims framed their SV experiences. Methods SV was measured using behaviourally specific questions based on a broad definition of SV. Participants were selected via a cluster random probability sampling with a random route finding approach. Information on sexual victimisation, correlates, assailant characteristics and framing was collected via structured face-to-face interviews with adults aged 70 years and older living in Belgium (community-dwelling, assisted living and nursing homes). Results Among the 513 participants, the lifetime SV prevalence was 44% (55% F, 29% M). Past 12-months prevalence was 8% (9% F, 8% M). Female sex and a higher number of sexual partners were associated with lifetime SV (p < .05), non-heterosexual sexual orientation with past 12-months SV (p < .05). Correlates identified to be linked to elder abuse and neglect in previous studies were not linked with SV in our sample. ‘Someone unknown’ was identified as most common assailant. Conclusions Sexual victimisation appears to be common in older adults in Belgium. Both correlates and assailant characteristics seem to differ from previous studies on elder abuse and neglect. Recognizing older adults as a risk group for sexual victimisation in research, policies and practices is of the utmost importance.

“Time Does Not Heal All Wounds”: Sexual Victimisation Is Associated with Depression, Anxiety, and PTSD in Old Age

“…Over 44% of the participants experienced SV during their lifetime and 8.4% in the past 12 months. A detailed description of the different forms of sexual victimisation has been published elsewhere [ 4 ]. More information on the characteristics of the study sample can be found in Table 1 .…”

“…Therefore, prevalence numbers have been underestimated for a long time [ 3 ]. A recent study, which assessed SV independently from other forms of violence and used a broad definition of SV encompassing both hands-off and hands-on SV, showed that SV in older adults occurs more frequently than previously believed [ 4 ].…”

“…Both being resilient and having a high level of social support have already shown to decrease the mental health impact of sexual victimisation in younger populations [ 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 ]. Moreover, identifying as non-heterosexual has been associated specifically with SV in older adults and has also been linked to mental health problems in older age [ 4 , 19 ]. Additionally, a recent study showed that sexual victimisation remains largely undetected by mental health care workers [ 20 ].…”

Correction to: Sexual violence in older adults: a Belgian prevalence study

“…Author details 1 International Centre for Reproductive Health, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium. 2 Department of Psychiatry, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium.…”

“…After publication of this article [ 1 ], the authors reported that Christophe Vandeviver was not indicated as shared last author. Ines Keygnaert and Christophe Vandeviver are shared last authors.…”