Sexual abuse of the elderly: A hidden subject

Hajilou, Fattaneh; Aghayari Hir, Tavakkol; Pilvari, Ali

doi:10.22034/26.4.69

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Volume 26, Issue 4 (12-2024)

EBNESINA 2024, 26(4): 69-87

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Sexual abuse of the elderly: A hidden subject

Fattaneh Hajilou ^*

, Tavakkol Aghayari Hir

, Ali Pilvari

Department of Social Sciences, Faculty of Law and Social Sciences, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran , fhajilou@tabrizu.ac.ir

Keywords: Sexual Abuse, Elderly, Qualitative Research

Full-Text [PDF 1720 kb] (454 Downloads) | Abstract (HTML) (1305 Views)

Type of Study: Original |
Received: 2024/09/2 | Revised: 2025/03/12 | Accepted: 2024/11/2 | Published: 2024/12/21

Extended Abstract: (701 Views)

Introduction

Increasing life expectancy and declining fertility rates have made aging a global phenomenon. According to the United Nations, the elderly population is projected to rise from 350 million in 1975 to 1.1 billion by 2025 [1]. This significant growth in the elderly population serves as a key demographic indicator [2]. Improved quality of life in industrialized societies has increased the likelihood of individuals experiencing old age [3]. One specific challenge faced by the elderly is elder abuse, which can manifest in various forms, including physical, psychological, sexual, and financial abuse. Physical abuse involves any behavior that causes bodily harm, while psychological abuse impacts an individual's emotional well-being. Economic abuse refers to the illegal use of an elderly person's property, and neglect can also pose serious health risks [4, 5]. The elderly are particularly vulnerable due to their circumstances, yet they often hesitate to report abuse, leading to severe consequences [11,12, 13]. Despite its importance, the issue of sexual abuse among the elderly has received little attention, and related findings have not been widely published. This study aimed to investigate the issue of sexual abuse among the elderly.

Methods

This study employed a qualitative phenomenological approach to explore the lived experiences of elderly individuals regarding sexual harassment. The research was conducted with 15 elderly women residing in Arak, some of whom live in nursing homes. The inclusion criteria for the study were: being at least 65 years old, having no identifiable cognitive or psychological problems, providing informed consent to participate, and having experienced sexual harassment. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and continued until theoretical saturation was reached. The questions focused on how the harassment occurred, the individual's feelings at the time, and reasons for not seeking legal advice. Participation in the interviews was voluntary. After coding the responses from the first interview, subsequent interviews were conducted. The interviews continued until no new information emerged. An expert review method was utilized to enhance the validity of the research, with two experts examining and reviewing the codes, data, and categories to ensure consistency with the participants' statements.

Results

The study explored the experiences of sexual abuse among the elderly through conversations with interviewees about their lived experiences. The findings are part of a larger research project that included interviews with both women and men. However, the researcher found that, despite the existence of abuse experiences among men (though their numbers and perceptions were less than those of women), they were reluctant to express these experiences. Therefore, this study specifically focused on women's experiences. The extracted semantic units were categorized into two main themes: "contextual factors" and "effects and consequences," which include 16 sub-themes and 48 specific units. Some of the most important contextual factors identified were media depiction, easy acceptance of violence in popular culture, media normalization, unaware caregivers, the public's disbelief in the possibility of sexual abuse of the elderly, family tensions, lack of social support, lack of awareness of individual rights, light punishments for criminals, and difficulties in proving the crime. The most significant effects and consequences identified included fear of being in public places, fear of being on the street for everyday tasks, fear of using public transportation, hopelessness about the future, anxiety, isolation and withdrawal, creation of a sense of hatred, feelings of embarrassment and shame, self-stigma, damage to personal identity, and absolute hopelessness.

Discussion and Conclusion

Elderly individuals are particularly vulnerable to various forms of sexual abuse, including harassment and violence, due to their specific circumstances. To prevent such abuses, organizations must educate families and caregivers about the rights of the elderly through educational resources and professional counseling. Creating a safe space for reporting signs of abuse and organizing social programs can enhance feelings of security and belonging among the elderly while reducing opportunities for abuse. Increasing public awareness about the issues faced by the elderly, especially sexual abuse, can contribute to creating a safer environment for them. This awareness encourages community members to actively support the elderly and take necessary actions when observing any signs of abuse. By promoting social sensitivity, we can change attitudes and behaviors towards the elderly, thereby protecting their rights and dignity.

Ethical Considerations

The current research is an extract from the master's thesis of the third author of the article at the University of Tabriz, which has been approved by the ethics committee in research with the code IR.TABRIZU.REC.1403.006. Before starting the interviews, the researchers explained the purpose and motivation of the study to the participants and obtained their permission to record the audio. They assured participants that participation was voluntary and that all information would be kept confidential. Participants could withdraw from the interview at any time without any negative consequences.

Funding

There is no funding support.

Authors’ Contribution

Authors contributed equally to the conceptualization and writing of the article. All of the authors approved the content of the manuscript and agreed on all aspects of the work.

Conflict of Interest

Authors declared no conflict of interest.

Acknowledgments

The authors express their utmost gratitude to all participants in the study.

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Hajilou F, Aghayari Hir T, Pilvari A. Sexual abuse of the elderly: A hidden subject. EBNESINA 2024; 26 (4) :69-87
URL: http://ebnesina.ajaums.ac.ir/article-1-1357-en.html

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