Sexual violence in older adults: a Belgian prevalence study

Anne Nobels,Marie Beaulieu,Christophe Vandeviver,Stéphane Adam,Adina Cismaru-Inescu,Ines Keygnaert,Evelyn Schapansky,Laurent Nisen,Bastien Hahaut,Gilbert Lemmens

doi:10.1186/s12877-021-02485-3

Abstract

BackgroundSexual 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.MethodsSV 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).ResultsAmong 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.ConclusionsSexual 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.

Highlights

Sexual violence (SV) is an important public health problem which may cause long-lasting health problems
The mean age was 79 years (SD: 6.4 yrs., range 70-99 yrs), 58.3% was female, 89.8% was community-dwelling, 90.4% was born in Belgium, 31.2% completed higher education, 50.3% was in a relationship and 7.4% labelled themselves as non-heterosexual
Women were more likely to be sexually victimised in their lifetime, but for the past 12-months we found no difference between women and men regarding sexual victimisation

Summary

Introduction

Sexual violence (SV) is an important public health problem which may cause long-lasting health problems. Valid SV prevalence estimates and associated risk factors in older adults are currently unavailable. Current studies show low SV prevalence numbers as they conflate it with other types of violence in Nobels et al BMC Geriatrics (2021) 21:601 the broader context of elder abuse and neglect [9], domestic violence or intimate partner violence [11]. Research on SV in older adults from a public health perspective, providing valid SV prevalence numbers and correlates, is currently lacking. Several risk factors have been associated with elder abuse and neglect, such as poor (perceived) health status, care dependency, low social support, and financial strain [14,15,16,17,18,19]. Specific risk factors for sexual violence in old age are currently unknown [9]

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Conclusion