“The Test of a Civilization Is the Way that It Cares for Its Helpless Members”: Violence Against Older Women

Abstract

Violence against women is a major health risk nationally and internationally. However, despite its impact, violence against older women remains an understudied area. Abuse of older women is frequently unrecognized unless encompassed under “elder abuse.” The purpose of this article is to (1) provide a summary of current research on violence against older women, (2) describe methodological biases in research on violence against older women, (3) discuss methodological biases that have kept the problem of violence against older women hidden from view, and (4) propose new directions for feminist research, advocacy, and therapy.

KEYWORDS:

• domestic violence
• elder abuse
• intimate partner violence
• older women
• violence against women

Acknowledgments

Portions of this paper were presented at the Symposium on Women, Power, & Aging, at Pace University in New York City, September, 2010. I thank Michele Paludi who co-authored the conference presentation.