Abuse and violence against older women living in the community: a synopsis of results from the multi-national AVOW study

Abstract

Elder abuse is a violation of human rights; abuse of older people is recognised as a global problem and is accepted as a complex phenomenon. For instance, a differentiation between personal and structural abuse and distinction of the social context in which abuse takes place is necessary (e.g. in public, in institutions or in private households). The Toronto declaration of the WHO defines elder abuse as “a single or repeated act, or lack of appropriate action, occurring within any relationship where there is an expectation of trust which causes harm or distress to an older person.” Abuse has many facets whereby abuse is categorised as several types: physical (intent to cause pain/injury), psychological/emotional (anguish or distress, verbal/non-verbal), sexual (non-consensual sexual contact of any kind), financial/material abuse (illegal/improper use of funds, property or assets), and neglect (refusal/failure by those responsible to provide essential daily living assistance and/or support) , sometimes violation of personal civil or human rights (e.g. violation of privacy, right to autonomy, freedom) is included. Abusive behaviour by the perpetrator can be intentional or unintentional. Further, elder abuse can vary in severity taking into account the combination of intensity (frequency) and density (number of behavioural acts).[...]