This document discusses sexual abuse of elders, including demographics, signs of abuse, and effects. Some key points: - In 2010, 0.04% of elders experienced sexual abuse, with the median victim age being 77.9. - Sexual abuse can have especially harmful physical and psychological effects on elders due to age-related factors. - Prevention and intervention efforts are needed to address elder sexual abuse, which is often underreported due to issues like victim credibility and cultural norms around secrecy.

1. Sexual Abuse
In Late Adulthood
By: Franco Bejerona, Samantha Butler, Kristen Consuegra, Kathy
Diaz

2. Attribution theory
The framework of Attribution theory examines the way people perceive and
explain their own behavior and the behavior of others.
It supposes that we attempt to understand behavior by attributing
feelings, beliefs, characteristics and intentions onto them.
Psychoanalytic theory
The framework of Freud’s psychoanalytic theory examines the human consciousness.
It breaks down consciousness into three sections:
The Id: This is made up of one’s own raw and primitive behaviors.
The Ego: This is the part of the consciousness that deals with dealing with reality.
The Superego: This is where your internalized moral standards and your
consciousness lie – Your sense of right or wrong.

3. Demographics:
Number of elderly abuse cases in 2010
Percent of elderly population abused in 2010
Percent of which were sexual Abuse
Female victims
Median age of victim
White victims
Black victim
Hispanic victims
Percent of nursing homes that have been in violation of elderly abuse laws
5,961,568
9.5 %
0.04 %
67.3 %
77.9
66.4%
18.7%
10.4%
36 %

4. • The most recent major studies on incidence reported that 7.6%–10% of
study participants experienced abuse.
• Available data from state Adult Protective Services (APS) agencies
show an increasing trend in the reporting of elder abuse.
• Despite the accessibility of APS in all 50 states (whose programs are
quite different), as well as mandatory reporting laws for elder abuse in
most states, an overwhelming number of cases of abuse, neglect, and
exploitation go undetected and untreated each year.
• One study estimated that only 1 in 14 cases of elder abuse ever comes
to the attention of authorities.
Who reports sexual abuse?
Healthcare provider 23%
Family 16%
Other service provider 15%
Friend/neighbor 8%
Geriatric worker 6%
Anonymous 5%
Victim 5%

5. Signs of Abuse On
Elders:
• Painful Intercourse
• Urinary Infections
• STD’s
• Wounds and Bruises
Sexual Abuse on Elders
• Biological differences make the effects of sexual harsher on elders
• Physical damage can often be catastrophic and deadly
• STDs often have harsher consequences due to the elders weak immune systems
• Elders often do not have the physical capabilities to report or even recognize sexual abuse.
Adult Survivors of Childhood sexual abuse
Adult survivors can develop a long list of medical health effects.
• Insomnia
• Vaginal pain
• Headaches
• TMJ
• Low back pain
• Chest pressure
• Asthma
• Anxiety
• Complications due to abortion
• Drug abuse
• Lost of sexual drive

6. Psychological Effect of Young and Middle
Adulthood Sexual Abuse in Late Adulthood:
Anxiety
Panic Attacks
Low self-esteem
Stress disorders - PTSD
Personality disorders
Substance abuse
Self-abuse behaviors
Sexual Abuse During Late Adulthood:
Most common forms of sexual abuse in late
adulthood is Resident to Resident
Sexual Abuse(RRSA).
Dementia is a key factor for sexual abuse in late
adulthood.
60%-67% of victims have some form of
Dementia.

7. Shame is a cultural norm is many communities that acts a coping mechanism that can also hurt the individual by
creating distrustful relationships.
Secrecy is also a cultural norm, specially among elder communities. Secrecy can create internal
conflict as well difficult situational.
Independent vs. Caring cultures
Some populations, like african americans and hispanics, hold the belief that caregiving is a value

8. Major Social Factors that contribute to sexual abuse:
• Isolation
• Media
• Not being apart of a “functioning society”
Common misconceptions:
Older adults don’t have sex
Sexual Abuse does not exist between older adults

9. • Credibility of victim
• Distinguishing Consenting Marital Relations from Sexual Abuse
• Victim's desire to protect the perpetrator
• Reluctance of Health Care Professionals to Perform Rape Kit Examinations
• Recognizing Harmful Genital Practices as Sexual Abuse

10. Young and Middle Adulthood:
Prevention:
• Educational Community-Base Initiatives
• One in Four USA
• Non-profit with multiple “chapters”
• For men and women
• Educational videos
• Presentations, guest speakers, etc.
Intervention:
• Rape Center Crisis
• Serves victims of sexual assault
• Open 24/7
Policy:
• Confidentiality Laws
• At a State level
• Law to protect client or victim
Late Adulthood
Prevention:
• Awareness-The main barrier
• National Committee of Prevention of Elder Abuse
• First organization to establish, identify and respond
to all kinds of abuse to the elderly
Intervention:
• Adult protective services
• State run social services
(the equivalent of child protective services)
Policy:
• Most long term nursing facilities are private. So a barrier
exist in public policy. State Run adult services
most of the time do not intervene