Recognizing Elderly Survivors This Sexual Assault Awareness Month

Sexual assault in older individuals is not something we often want to talk about. But, it’s important to understand the signs of sexual abuse and violence, educate ourselves on ways to prevent it, and empower those who have been affected by it.

What better time to raise your voice than Sexual Assault Awareness Month?

Sexual Assault Awareness Month

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM). SAAM aims to raise public awareness of sexual violence and educate communities on how to prevent it.

The campaign strives to be a voice of the survivors of sexual abuse and violence. By better educating the public on sexual assault, we can better recognize, prevent, and recover from sexual abuse and violence.

The term “sexual assault” is an umbrella term that includes all of the following:

  • Rape
  • Molestation
  • Unwanted sexual contact of any other form
  • Sexual harassment
  • Incest
  • Child Sexual Abuse
  • Sexual violence, even with an intimate partner
  • Sexual exploitation
  • Human trafficking
  • Voyeurism

The observance encourages people across the country to raise their voices in support of survivors and speak out if they have experienced sexual assault themselves.

Looking at the numbers

This April, do your part to end the widespread problem that is sexual assault. Here are some key statistics about sexual assault in the U.S.

  • Nearly 1 in 5 women in the United States have experienced rape (or attempted rape) at one point in their lives.
  • 1 in 67 men in the United States has experienced rape (or attempted rape) at one point in their lives.
  • Every 98 seconds, an American is sexually assaulted.
  • Only 5 out of every 1,000 perpetrators will end up in prison (which is why it is important to speak out if this happens to you).
  • The majority of sexual assaults happen at or near the individual’s home, often by someone they know and/or trust.
  • Health care is 16% higher for women who were sexually abused as children.
  • Rape is the most under-reported crime; 63% of sexual assaults are not reported.

Elder Sexual Assault

Sexual abuse and violence can happen at any age, including older adults and elderly individuals. This month, we’re raising awareness about sexual assault in our senior population and ways we can prevent and recognize it.

Elder sexual assault is highly underreported and studies show that survivors are hesitant to reach out for help. Only one in 24 cases of elder sexual abuse is reported to authorities.

Sexual assault in later life is often perpetrated by people who have easy access to older individuals. In one study, 40% of perpetrators were the spouse of the victim.

Many also see sexual assault in later life as a problem isolated to nursing homes. While it is an issue that nursing homes face, reported cases of elder sexual abuse show that 72% of alleged sexual abuses occurred in private homes, while just 23% occurred in facilities and almost 5% occurred in other locations.

Older survivors of sexual assault can benefit from many services that survivor service organizations offer. Advocates can help survivors navigate the criminal justice system by providing information, court accompaniment, and the emotional support necessary to help survivors heal. By believing and supporting the individual, advocates can often be a source of unbiased.

Survivor services organizations can also help break some of the isolation many older survivors experience through counseling programs, follow-up support, and support groups specifically designed for older survivors. Service programs may have to adjust their services to better meet the needs of older survivors.

Know the signs

By understanding the signs of sexual abuse and violence, we can better protect and support our aging population.

The typical signs of sexual abuse against the elderly can include:

  • Sustaining a pelvic injury
  • Having problems walking or sitting
  • Developing a sexually transmitted disease or STD
  • Torn, bloody, or stained underwear
  • Bruises of the genitals or inner thigh
  • Bleeding from the anus or genitals
  • Irritation or pain of the anus or genitals
  • Panic attacks
  • Signs of Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
  • Symptoms of agitation
  • Social or emotional withdrawal from others
  • Engaging in inappropriate, unusual or aggressive sexual activities
  • Suicide attempts
  • Engaging in unusual or inappropriate actions that appear to be from a sex role relationship between the perpetrator of elder sexual abuse and the survivor
  • Prevention

What to do if you suspect elder sexual assault

If you suspect that elder sexual abuse has taken place, you should report the incident to authorities, or to Adult Protective Services so that it can be investigated further. If the situation is an emergency or an older adult is in need of immediate assistance after an assault, emergency services should always be the first call and APS second. 

You can make an anonymous, confidential call 24/7 to the Safe Helpline at 877-995-5247. The Safe Helpline can connect you to the appropriate support and authorities needed for a specific situation.

Hope & Healing

Hope & Healing is a survivor resource center that includes Rape Crisis Center and Battered Women’s Shelter. This community organization provides free and confidential services to survivors of intimate partner violence in Summit and Medina Counties in Northeastern Ohio.

You can reach Hope & Healing 24 hours a day for a variety of sexual assault survivor resources.

  • Battered Women’s Shelter (Summit): 330-374-1111
  • Battered Women’s Shelter (Medina): 330-723-3900
  • Rape Crisis Center (Summit & Medina): 330-434-7273

VANTAGE Aging

VANTAGE Aging provides high-quality programs to empower the economic, social, physical, and mental well-being of adults as they age.

Non-medical in-home care is provided by Home Wellness Solutions. Job training for low-income adults age 55 and older is offered through the Senior Community Service Employment Program.

Evidenced-based volunteering to meet local and national needs is provided by RSVP (Retired and Senior Volunteer Program) volunteers.

Meals on Wheels of Northeast Ohio provides home-delivered and congregate meals to provide nutritional support to the homebound and disabled.

Behavioral health services are administered by the Blick Center.

Overall, VANTAGE’s programs come together to offer a path for positive aging. For more information, call 330-253-4597.

The information in this article is intended solely to provide general information on matters of interest for the personal use of the reader, who accepts full responsibility for its use. This article should not be used as a substitute for consultation with professional legal, medical, or other competent advisors.

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