title: Sexual Assault and Justice for Older Women: A Critical Review of the Literature.
abstract: This article provides a critical review of current literature on the sexual assault of older women-including an exploration of the specific features and emotional and physical impacts of older women's experiences-and highlights current gaps and future directions for research, practice, and theory. A review of the literature indicates that older women constitute only a small proportion of victim/survivors. However, there is evidence to suggest that existing research underestimates the extent of this issue. Older women face particular barriers to disclosure and accessing the justice system, resulting in their experiences remaining hidden. Many of these barriers also contribute toward older women's experiences being ignored, dismissed, or downplayed by potential bystanders. These barriers are explored in depth in this article and include cultural context, ageism, cognitive and health impairments, and living in a residential care setting. Responding to, and preventing, the sexual assault of older women requires a tailored approach-and we currently lack sufficient insight to develop appropriate responses. In closing, this article considers how we might work toward achieving "justice" for older women victim/survivors.
authors.affiliation: 1 Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health & Society, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia.
authors.forename: Bianca
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Fileborn
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D063506:Ageism; D060825:Cognitive Dysfunction / Q000150:complications; D019548:Crime Victims / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000523:psychology*; D030881:Disclosure; D005260:Female; D006707:Homes for the Aged; D006801:Humans; D009735:Nursing Homes; D012307:Risk Factors; D012742:Sex Offenses / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D035862:Vulnerable Populations
keywords: elder abuse; sexual assault; situational factors