Del Bove, G., Stermac, L., & Bainbridge, D. (2005). Comparisons of sexual assault among older and younger women. Journal of Elder Abuse & Neglect, 17, 1-18.

Key Points: Older victims were more likely to be sexually assaulted in their homes and were more likely to live alone than younger women.

Summary: This study compared sexual assault of older and younger women by reviewing medical records of those treated at a sexual assault care center in Ontario, Canada. The authors divided women into three groups by age: young (15-30 years; n=78), mid-age (31-54 years; n=73), and eldest (55-87; n=61).

Elder women were more likely to be cognitively disabled than women in the younger groups. Older women were more socially isolated: they were more likely to live alone and significantly less likely to be accompanied to the care center by a friend than either of the other groups. More than half (51%) of elders were attacked in their homes, compared with 20% of mid-age women and 19% of young women.

There was no significant difference found between the groups in the relationship of the attacker to the victim: about 40% of all assailants were strangers, and acquaintances were responsible for between 35-48% of attacks. Significant differences were not found in the type(s) of assault, injuries sustained, or need for hospitalization, although there was a trend toward increased vaginal injuries in older women. Weapons were used more frequently on younger women; however, the same levels of physical violence and restraint were used against older and younger women.

To develop preventive strategies, the authors recommended that further research be done with women in assisted care facilities (almost 15% of elder victims were living in group settings). They also suggested identifying the actual relationship of acquaintances to their victims, as this may differ by age group.

Topics: Elderly, injury

Fitzgerald, M.M., Danielson, C.K., Saunders, B., & Kilpatrick, D.G. (2007).Youth victimization: Implications for prevention, intervention, and public policy. The Prevention Researcher, 14, 3-7.

Key Points: Policies and practices are needed to minimize the harm of youth victimization by encouraging assessment, targeted prevention, and treatment interventions.  

Abstract: The authors review national prevalence rates of youth victimization, including: sexual, emotional or physical abuse; witnessing domestic or community violence; property crime; and excessive punishment. They note gender and race/ethnicity differences in prevalence rates as well as mental health effects. Specific recommendations for assessing risk and resiliency factors as well as screening for victimization in clinical settings are given. The authors discuss the importance of targeted interventions for specific groups, and urge adoption of an ecological model. Finally, the authors discuss how public and organizational policies can help decrease the impact of victimization and increase the availability of supportive services for youth and their families.

Topics: Adolescent/high school; effects; medical response; prevalence; prevention; racial/ethnic differences

Kisiel, C., Blaustein, M., Spinazzola, J., Schmidt, C. S., Zucker, M., & van der Kolk, B. (2006). Evaluation of a theater-based youth violence prevention program for elementary school children. Journal of School Violence, 5, 19-36.

Key Points: Children who participated in the program had better pro-social skills, developed fewer new aggressive behaviors, and scored higher on attention and engagement scales than those who did not participate.

Abstract: Four classrooms of fourth-grade students (n=77) participated in Urban Improv (UI), a youth violence prevention program incorporating theater and education. The program consisted of nine weekly sessions, and incorporated experiential learning and discussion. Students in participating classrooms were compared with students in four classrooms that did not participate in UI (controls: n=63).

Students and teachers completed pre- and post-program evaluations. Students completed self-report on measures on their social skills, problem behaviors, coping style, and attitudes and beliefs about aggression. Teachers reported on their students’ demonstration of pro-social skills (cooperation, self-control, and assertiveness) and problem behaviors.

Though student self-reports did not indicate changes between pre- and post-tests, teacher post-program assessments showed significant positive differences between participants and controls. Participants were found to maintain baseline levels of aggression, while controls’ aggressive behavior increased. Pro-social behaviors increased in the participant group and decreased in the control group. Additionally, students who participated in the program showed an improvement in attention/ engagement behaviors, while non-participants showed a decrease in those behaviors.

Topics: Curriculum; prevention

Lee, D.S., Guy, L., Perry, B., Sniffen, C.K., & Mixson, S.A. (2007). Sexual violence prevention. The Prevention Researcher, 14, 15-20.

Key Points: Because sexual violence is a social problem, ending it requires comprehensive community prevention strategies as well as individual education.

Abstract: The authors reviewed the feminist theoretical basis for sexual violence prevention programs, which states that cultural norms and unequal gender roles lead inevitably to violence against women. They argue that education efforts that address attitudes about gender roles and seek to build relationship skills can be made more effective by incorporating them into comprehensive and community change models.

Several comprehensive programs developed using the Ecological Model and the Spectrum of Prevention model are described. Examples of programs based on community mobilization, changing social norms, and social marketing illustrate community level prevention strategies. The importance of promoting policy changes at local and national levels is emphasized. Finally, the authors call for more funding and research into cultural causes of and responses to sexual violence.

Topics: Prevention; theory

Mair, J.S., Frattaroli, S., & Teret, S.P. (2003). New hope for victims of prison sexual assault. Journal of Law, Medicine, & Ethics, 31, 602-606.

Key Points: The Prison Rape Elimination Act of 2003 established a system to reduce sexual violence against inmates in federal, state, county, and municipal prisons.

Abstract: After a brief overview of prison rape, the authors explain and summarize the main components of the Act. The Act established a Review Panel on Prison Rape at the Department of Justice to conduct hearings on the characteristics of victims, perpetrators, and prisons with low and high incidences of rape. The Act also mandates funding for prevention and prosecution resources and annual trainings of local, state, and federal authorities. It required the Attorney General to publish national standards for addressing rape and other forms of sexual coercion within prisons. Accreditation organizations were required to establish accreditation standards consistent with federal standards in order to receive federal funds. In conclusion, the authors point out that 95% of those incarcerated will be released. Preventing and treating sexual violence among these prisoners will improve their chances for successful reintegration into their families and communities.

Topics: Legal responses; prison rape

Muram, D., Miller, K., & Cutler, A. (1992). Sexual assault of the elderly victim. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 7, 70-76.

Key Points: Older female victims of sexual assault were more likely to be assaulted in their homes and by a stranger compared with younger women.

Summary: The researchers compared the sexual assault medical records of 53 women 55 years or older with the records of 53 younger women (aged 18-43). They found no difference in the racial/ethnic makeup of the two groups of victims or of their attackers, although attackers of older women tended to be older.

About the same number of women in each group sustained non-genital injuries (24 older women and 21 younger women) but more than half of older women (51%) had genital injuries while only 13% of younger women had genital injuries.
Younger women were more likely to report a previous sexual assault than older women (25% vs. 9%). The authors speculate that this may be due to older women being less likely to consider child sexual abuse or sexual violence committed by partners to be forms of sexual assault.

The majority of assaults against older women took place in the victim’s home (72%) while most assaults of younger women occurred outside the victim’s home (64%). More older women (79%) were assaulted by complete strangers; among younger women, 43% of attackers were known to the victim prior to the assault. Because of the patterns of stranger assaults, the authors recommend that elders use adequate window and door locks as a prevention strategy.
Limitations of the study included a small sample size collected from one sexual assault response center in Memphis, Tennessee. The results of this study may not be generalizable to other populations.

Topics: Elderly, injury

Ramin, S. M., Satin, A. J., Stone, I.C., & Wendel, G. D. (1992). Sexual assault in postmenopausal women. Obstetrics & Gynecology, 80, 860-864.

Key Points: Older sexual assault victims were more likely to be white and suffered more genital injuries than younger women.

Summary: The authors compared the characteristics of sexual assault victims who were examined and treated in a Dallas County hospital from 1986-1991. About 129 or 2% of all victims were postmenopausal (50-100 years old). Women in the comparison group were 14-49 years old. Racial/ethnic characteristics varied with age: most younger victims were black (53%), and older victims were more likely to be white (64%). Most of the women experienced some kind of physical injury (67% of older and 71% of younger women), but older women suffered more genital injuries (43% vs. 18%). This study did not include information on emotional and psychological trauma suffered by victims, and the authors recommended that further research be done in those areas.

Topics: Elderly; injury

updated 08/01/07