Respect Aging: Preventing Violence against Older Persons

Respect Aging:Preventing Violence against Older Persons 1.RECOGNITION 2. PREVENTION 3. INTERVENTION Violence Prevention Initiative

Why this training? • NL: oldest population in Canada • Age 65 and older: • 2010: 15% of the population • 2025: 27% of the population

Violence = a pattern of behaviour intended to establish and maintain control over family, household members, intimate partners, colleagues, individuals or groups.

Why not call it “elder abuse”? • Abuse is only one part of the continuum of violence • Ageist attitudes • Aboriginal perspective

Violence against older persons… • Intentional, unintentional • All economic, social, cultural groups • Home, community, residential care • Once, occasionally, or long-term

Violence prevention principles • Right to safe, secure, violence-free environment • Root of violence: inequality • Violence is expressed through “isms” • Violence is a choice • Violence is preventable • It’s everyone’s responsibility • Response to violence includes: • Prevention • Education • Services • Enforcement of the law

In this session • Types and warning signs (indicators) • Violence in residential care facilities • Gender dynamics of violence against older persons • Diversity, ageism and violence • Dynamics of family violence • Impact and effects of violence on older persons, families, society

Types of violence • Physical violence • Psychological violence • Emotional violence • Verbal abuse • Sexual violence • Financial abuse • Neglect • Spiritual (or religious) violence • Cultural violence

Other forms of violence in residential care settings • Failure to respect residents’ basic rights • Systemic violence

Possible warning signs • Physical signs • Psychological or emotional signs • Signs of verbal abuse • Signs of sexual violence • Signs of neglect • Signs of financial abuse • Signs of spiritual, religious or cultural violence • Signs of systemic violence (in residential care settings)

Gender and violence Most victims of violence are women. Most perpetrators of violence are men.

Perpetrators… • ~8,500 Canadians 65yrs+ were the victim of a violent crime (2011) • 34% were victimized by family • 1 in 5 were victimized by an acquaintance • 27% were victimized by a stranger • A grown child was 1.5 times higher than a spouse to victimize an older person • More older females victimized by a spouse than older males.

Victims… • Older women: • majority of victims of sexual/physical violence • higher rates of family violence • more likely to be victimized by spouse, ex-spouse or adult child • Older men: • higher rate of reported violent crime • more likely to be victimized by a person outside the family

Older female victims of violence • Murdered  by spouse or son • Emotionally or financially abused • Family homicide doubled • Poverty • Live longer • More chronic disease • Greater risk of injury from violence

Older male victims of violence • ~40% of all older victims of violence (2011) • Murdered  by son • Victimized by an acquaintance or stranger

Gender and ageism • Ageism is a factor in gendered violence against older persons. • Adult sons have power based on gender. • Adult sons have power that comesfrom not being old.

Diversity, ageism and violence

Dimensions of diversity Primary dimensions Secondary dimensions

Dimensions of diversity: visibility Primary dimensions Secondary dimensions

Differences can lead to… • Stereotyping • Prejudice • Discrimination

Stereotyping, prejudice, and discrimination… • Rooted in ignorance and fear • Preserve power and control • Violence and threats • Claims of natural superiority

Stereotype • Generalizations • General, biased ideas about a whole group • Does not recognize differences • Family, peers, media, society • Don’t see the whole person

Prejudice • A negative attitude – based on preconceived notions about members of a certain group • Means to “pre-judge” • Tends to be driven by emotion • Can lead to dehumanization

Discrimination • An action (or lack of action) against individuals or groups • Based on negative values, attitudes or beliefs • Often a result of prejudice and bias • Denial of fair treatment or equal rights

The “isms” Ageism Ableism Classism Heterosexism Racism Sexism

Diversity & older persons in NL • Oldest population in Canada • Age diversity in NL (2011) • 48,855 people 65-74 • 24,695 people 75-84 • 8,560 people 85+ • Each age group has differing needs • More diversity (sex, race, ability, health status) = many different service needs

Ageism • Ageist attitudes towards older people contribute toward their invisibility, marginalization and social exclusion. • They are seen as second-class citizens.

Dimensions of diversity among older persons • Income • Housing • Culture/language • Food preferences • Education, literacy • Marital status • Health status • Age • Ability • Mental status • Sexual orientation • Sex, gender • Aboriginal • Rural, isolated

Family violenceand the perpetrator

Violence against older persons can also be viewed in the context of family violence.

Violence can continue into old age • Acts of power and control exist across the lifespan: • Violence does not suddenly stop at some older age. • Violence does not suddenly begin with the vulnerabilities sometimes associated with older age.

Roots of family violence • Family violence involves an abuse of power and control in a relationship, where one person uses power to control another in a hurtful way.

Perpetrators of family violence • Frequent contact • Intimate partners • Adult male children

Violence by adult children • Most frequent family abusers of older persons in the home • Adult child under 60 • Lives with/nearby • Dependency

Intimate partner violence • Marriage, dating or common-law • Heterosexual or same-sex • Single episode to long-term battering • Mostly by men against women • May get worse with age • May take on new forms

Emotional/mental health • Physical health • Sexual health • Spiritual health • Financial well-being Impacts of violence

Older women • Older immigrants, refugees • Older Aboriginal persons • Older persons living with disabilities Violence impacts different older persons in different ways

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender older persons • Older persons living with HIV/AIDS • Isolated and rural older persons Violence impacts different older persons in different ways

Respect Aging: Preventing Violence against Older Persons