Barriers to help-seeking : older women's experiences of domestic violence and abuse - Briefing note

Rogers, MM

Abstract

The widespread phenomenon of domestic violence and abuse (DVA) is acknowledged to be a global issue (WHO, 2013). However, this entrenched social problem is often associated with women of child-bearing age with the absence of older women in DVA research, policy and practice resulting in the construction of older victims/ survivors as a 'hidden group' (Turner et al., 2010). The purpose of this briefing note is to highlight findings from a pilot study which explored older women's experiences of DVA as well as the perspectives of DVA practitioners. The data illustrates the impacts of DVA which operated to instill fear and anxiety into victims which, in turn, maintained women in abusive relationships. Ultimately, the dynamics and impacts of DVA serves as a barrier to help-seeking behaviour for older victims/survivors (Rogers, forthcoming).

Citation

Rogers, M. (2016). Barriers to help-seeking : older women's experiences of domestic violence and abuse - Briefing note

• Other Type: Other
• Publication Date: Jan 1, 2016
• Deposit Date: Feb 6, 2017
• Publicly Available Date: Feb 6, 2017