title: Core data elements tracking elder sexual abuse.
abstract: Sexual abuse in the older adult population is an understudied vector of violent crimes with significant physical and psychological consequences for victims and families. Research requires a theoretical framework that delineates core elements using a standardized instrument. To develop a conceptual framework and identify core data elements specific to the older adult population, clinical, administrative, and criminal experts were consulted using a nominal group method to revise an existing sexual assault instrument. The revised instrument could be used to establish a national database of elder sexual abuse. The database could become a standard reference to guide the detection, assessment, and prosecution of elder sexual abuse crimes as well as build a base from which policy makers could plan and evaluate interventions that targeted risk factors.
authors.affiliation: The Center for Health Outcomes and Policy Research, University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, Nursing Education Building, Room 337, 420 Guardian Drive, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA. nancyp@nursing.upenn.edu
authors.forename: Nancy P
authors.initials: NP
authors.lastname: Hanrahan
authors.forename: Ann W
authors.initials: AW
authors.lastname: Burgess
authors.forename: Angela M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Gerolamo
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D003415:Crime; D019548:Crime Victims; D004552:Elder Abuse / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011902:Rape; D012742:Sex Offenses / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D017132:Workplace