Old age, vulnerability and sexual violence: implications for knowledge and practice.
OBJECTIVE
This paper seeks to offer further analysis on the relationship between abuse of power, elder abuse and sexual violence. Importantly, current definitions are examined and the existing literature is reviewed to establish what the current level of debate is on sexual violence in its relationship to elderly women.


METHODS
Through the analysis of available literature it is possible to observe which and how older people have been marginalized both in particular disciplines of study and policy spaces.


RESULTS
We conclude that marginalization results in inadequate redress to issues of violence and power that may manifest against the older person, and which leads to feelings of vulnerability. There are important implications for helping health professionals, especially nurses, for understanding the policy, theory and practice. The need for empirical research in this difficult area is paramount.
Jones
H
H
Criminology, Sociology Department, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, UK. H.jones@mmu.ac.uk
Powell
J L
JL
D000368:Aged; D001294:Attitude to Health; D004552:Elder Abuse / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005060:Europe / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006291:Health Policy; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D008017:Life Expectancy / Q000639:trends; D008297:Male; D008402:Mass Media; D009656:North America / Q000453:epidemiology; D011159:Population Surveillance; D011287:Prejudice; D012307:Risk Factors; D012742:Sex Offenses / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012931:Social Environment; D012945:Social Values; D035862:Vulnerable Populations / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D019366:Western World