Sexual Abuse of Vulnerable Young and Old Women: A Comparative Analysis of Circumstances and Outcomes

• NCJ Number: 209347
• Journal: Violence Against Women Volume: 11 Issue: 4 Dated: April 2005 Pages: 473-504
• Author(s): Karen A. Roberto; Pamela B. Teaster
• Date Published: April 2005
• Length: 32 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study attempted to develop an understanding of female adult sexual abuse cases receiving attention from Adult Protective Services (APS), such as personal characteristics, nature of sexual abuse, alleged perpetrators, and relationship between personal characteristics and type of sexual abuse experienced.

Abstract

As a group, women are more likely to be identified as victims of sexual abuse than their male counterparts. However, research does not address how specific personal variables may place them at risk for sexual abuse, as well as the influence of these characteristics on situational outcomes. This study examined 125 younger and older women served by Adult Protective Services (APS) and who were victims of sexual abuse. Five specific areas were addressed in this study: (1) characteristics of the women; (2) nature of the abuse; (3) characteristics of the alleged perpetrators; (4) case resolution; and (5) relationships between the personal characteristics of the women and the type of sexual abuse experienced. To address the first four areas, the circumstances and outcomes of these substantiated sexual abuse cases were compared by age, living arrangements, and self-care abilities. The last area was addressed by using multiple correspondence analyses to explore and describe the relationships between the personal characteristics of the women receiving attention from APS and the type of sexual abuse experienced. Younger women were more likely than their older counterparts to be highly oriented, ambulatory, and community dwelling. Regardless of age, most of the women could not manage their own finances, despite differences in levels of orientation. In addition, regardless of age, the most common types of abuse involved sexualized kissing and fondling and unwelcome sexual interest in the women’s body. Most identified perpetrators were older males. Although older women represented more of the sexual abuse cases, the types of abuse differed. Perpetrators were prosecuted and convicted in six cases with 12 percent of the women remaining at risk of further sexual abuse. Tables and references