Incidents of sexual assault among the elderly can go dangerously unreported

When thinking about sexual assault, most people think of an attack by a stranger on someone who is young and attractive. Most don’t think about sexual assault or sexual abuse being committed against someone who is elderly, and certainly don’t want to think about that abuse being committed by someone known to the victim.

In fact, 18 percent of all sexual assault victims are over 60. In addition, elderly rape victims are more often severely injured by the sexual assault. More alarming, 2.6 percent of rape victims over the age of 60 were killed during the rape.

Why are elderly people vulnerable to sexual assault? One factor may be stereotypical assumptions about the elderly. Some think older people are physically weaker, and therefore less capable of resisting. Some assume vision or hearing impairments, or an older person’s confusion, would lessen that person’s ability to accurately recount the event or identify the perpetrator. While these factors may or may not be true for an individual, it is perceived vulnerability that increases their risk.

Another vulnerability for older people is diminished ability to care for themselves, or an increased need for assistance from a caregiver. Studies indicate older people are most likely to be sexually assaulted by a family member or caretaker – particularly when the older person lives in a private home and relies on that person for assistance.

Despite these realities, only 30 percent of elder victims report their sexual assault to the police, and few are ever reported to Adult Protective Services. If the victim depends on the caretaker who is abusing them, it is harder for them to report the crime to the police. Doing so might result in the loss of their ability to maintain their life outside of some kind of assisted living. And if there are few to no visitors, it is unlikely the abuse or assault would be discovered and reported by someone else.

If the perpetrator is a family member, the victim may worry about whether or not they will be believed, or what kind of retaliation they may face from the abuser or the family. If the perpetrator is a spouse, there may be even greater reluctance due to a lack of understanding that marital rape is a crime.

Older people assaulted by someone other than a family member or caretaker worry reporting the crime may also lead to a loss of independence. Well-meaning family members may decide the older person is unsafe to be alone anymore, and must find different living accommodations. Or, the injuries resulting from the assault may require the person move to a different place or facility.

For an older person, recovery from a sexual assault may be complicated. Older people find it difficult to talk about the sexual assault, and reach out for support. Older people generally do not have a lot of experience talking about sexual matters in a “public” way. That discomfort makes it harder for an older person to report the crime and reach out for help. Although the sexual assault is an act of violence, talking about it may require that the person use language that makes them uncomfortable.

Through Creating Connections, the Sexual Assault Crisis Center is working with agencies in Androscoggin County to address the issue of sexual assault of the elderly. Our goal is to increase awareness that older people can be victims of sexual assault, and sexual abuse and to encourage service providers to be open to hearing about it from their older clients. We will also help them understand how to respond effectively when a disclosure is made, and how to access services for the victim.

Androscoggin County has a new, multidisciplinary Elder Abuse Task Force that is also working to stop abuse of the elder population. If you know an older adult who is being sexually assaulted or abused, call Adult Protective Services at 1-800-624-8404.

Our work is just beginning, but we can each do our part to respond to the safety needs of elders.

Marty McIntyre is executive director of the sexual assault crisis center in Auburn. This is the second of a two-part column about sexual abuse for Sexual Assault Awareness Month. The first appeared April 15.