title: Sexual abuse of vulnerable young and old women: a comparative analysis of circumstances and outcomes.
abstract: Aggregated data from 125 substantiated Adult Protective Services cases of sexually abused women were collected during a 5-year period. Women older than 59 years represented 63% of the cases. Regardless of age, the most common types of abuse involved sexualized kissing and fondling and unwelcome sexual interest in the women's body. Most identified perpetrators were older males. Family members were most likely to abuse women living in the community, whereas women living in facilities usually experienced abuse by another resident. Perpetrators were prosecuted and convicted in six cases. About 12% of the women continued to be at risk of further sexual abuse.
authors.affiliation: Center for Gerontology, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.
authors.forename: Karen A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Roberto
authors.forename: Pamela B
authors.initials: PB
authors.lastname: Teaster
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging; D018585:Battered Women / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011902:Rape / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012742:Sex Offenses / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012747:Sexual Partners / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014768:Virginia / Q000453:epidemiology; D016387:Women's Health; D014932:Women's Health Services / Q000592:standards