Article (Scientific journals)
Sexual violence in older adults: a Belgian prevalence study
Nobels, Anne; Cismaru Inescu, Adina; Nisen, Laurent et al.
2021In BMC Geriatrics
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Keywords :
Sexual abuse; Sexual assault; Elder abuse and neglect; Ageing; Abus sexuel; Agression sexuelle; Maltraitance et négligence envers les personnes âgées; Vieillissement
Abstract :
[en] Background: Sexual violence (SV) is an important public health problem which may cause long-lasting health problems. SV in older adults remains neglected in research, policies and practices. Valid SV prevalence estimates and associated risk factors in older adults are currently unavailable. Objective: To measure lifetime and past 12-months sexual victimisation in older adults living in Belgium, its correlates, assailant characteristics and the way that victims framed their SV experiences. Design: Cross-sectional general population study. Setting: Community-dwelling, assisted living and nursing homes. Participants: 513 people of 70 years and older living in Belgium. Methods: SV was measured using behaviourally specific questions based on a broad definition of SV. Participants were selected via a cluster random probability sampling with a random route finding approach. Information on sexual victimisation, correlates, assailant characteristics and framing was collected via structured face-to-face interviews. Results: Lifetime SV prevalence was 44% (55% F, 29% M). Past 12-months prevalence was 8% (9% F, 8% M). Female sex and a higher number of sexual partners were associated with lifetime SV (p <.05), non-heterosexual sexual orientation with past 12-months SV (p <.05). Correlates generally linked to elder abuse and neglect were not linked with SV. ‘Someone unknown’ was identified as most common assailant. Conclusions: SV appears to be common in older adults in Belgium. Both correlates and assailant characteristics seem to differ from previous studies on elder abuse and neglect. Recognising older adults as a risk group for sexual victimisation in research, policies and practices is of the utmost importance.
Research center :
International Centre for Reproductive Health
CARE-ESPRIst
Psychology of Aging Unit
Institute for International Research on Criminal Policy
Disciplines :
Human health sciences: Multidisciplinary, general & others
Author, co-author :
Nobels, Anne;  Universiteit Gent - UGent > Department of Public Health and Primary Care
Cismaru Inescu, Adina ;  Université de Liège - ULiège > ESPRIst
Nisen, Laurent ;  Université de Liège - ULiège > ESPRIst
Hahaut, Bastien  ;  Université de Liège - ULiège > ESPRIst
Beaulieu, Marie;  University of Sherbrooke > School of Social Work and Research Centre on Aging
Lemmens, Gilbert;  Universiteit Gent - UGent > Department of Head and Skin
Adam, Stéphane  ;  Université de Liège - ULiège > Département de Psychologie > Psychologie de la sénescence et du vieillissement
Schapansky, Evelyn;  Universiteit Gent - UGent > Department of Criminology, Criminal Law and Social Law
Vandeviver, Christophe;  Universiteit Gent - UGent > Department of Criminology, Criminal Law and Social Law
Keygnaert, Ines;  Universiteit Gent - UGent > Department of Public Health and Primary Care
Language :
English
Title :
Sexual violence in older adults: a Belgian prevalence study
Publication date :
26 October 2021
Journal title :
BMC Geriatrics
eISSN :
1471-2318
Publisher :
BioMed Central, United Kingdom
Peer reviewed :
Peer Reviewed verified by ORBi
Name of the research project :
UN-MENAMAIS
Funders :
BELSPO - Service Public Fédéral de Programmation Politique scientifique [BE]
FWO - Fonds Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek Vlaanderen [BE]
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since 27 October 2021

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