Elder Abuse
Elder Abuse
Jaleesa Nieves
4/12/2014
Elder abuse is the most common type of abuse that gets looked over. People normally do not suspect or even think an elderly person may be getting abused, but this is a serious topic in nursing homes and hospitals. Tens of thousands of the elderly are being abused in the United States. More than half a million reports of abuse against the elderly reach authorities every year, and millions more cases go unreported. The reason is as these seniors become older they lose the ability to fight back when they are bullied or attacked. They are more physically frail and they may not see or hear as well as they used too. This leaves openings for their relatives, friends, or even their caregivers at care facilities, to take advantage of them. Elder abuse can take place anywhere. It most often takes place where the senior lives. The abusers are usually their family members, such as their adult children, grandchildren, or spouses of the senior.
“People find it hard to understand why anyone would want to abuse an old person, but someone suffering some mental and physical frailty is the perfect victim: they can’t defend themselves, they can’t get away, and if they’re able to communicate they’re probably not believed. What more could any abuser want? It’s not about sex, it’s about power. There are even pages on paedophile websites encouraging men finding it hard to access children to gain employment at care homes. They say the sex is just as good and there’s far less risk of getting caught.” Ginny Jenkin,
Elder sexual abuse have some similarities to child sexual abuse. The perpetrator use different activities until he holds them against their will. With elder abuse, it is mainly with women over the age of 60. Occasionally adolescents between the ages of 14 and 20 years make aggressive attacks on elderly women with a view to rape or with no obvious purpose. The men are usually had drug or alcohol intake and will break
Jaleesa Nieves
4/12/2014
Elder abuse is the most common type of abuse that gets looked over. People normally do not suspect or even think an elderly person may be getting abused, but this is a serious topic in nursing homes and hospitals. Tens of thousands of the elderly are being abused in the United States. More than half a million reports of abuse against the elderly reach authorities every year, and millions more cases go unreported. The reason is as these seniors become older they lose the ability to fight back when they are bullied or attacked. They are more physically frail and they may not see or hear as well as they used too. This leaves openings for their relatives, friends, or even their caregivers at care facilities, to take advantage of them. Elder abuse can take place anywhere. It most often takes place where the senior lives. The abusers are usually their family members, such as their adult children, grandchildren, or spouses of the senior.
“People find it hard to understand why anyone would want to abuse an old person, but someone suffering some mental and physical frailty is the perfect victim: they can’t defend themselves, they can’t get away, and if they’re able to communicate they’re probably not believed. What more could any abuser want? It’s not about sex, it’s about power. There are even pages on paedophile websites encouraging men finding it hard to access children to gain employment at care homes. They say the sex is just as good and there’s far less risk of getting caught.” Ginny Jenkin,
Elder sexual abuse have some similarities to child sexual abuse. The perpetrator use different activities until he holds them against their will. With elder abuse, it is mainly with women over the age of 60. Occasionally adolescents between the ages of 14 and 20 years make aggressive attacks on elderly women with a view to rape or with no obvious purpose. The men are usually had drug or alcohol intake and will break
References: Ball, Hadrian N. Journal of Forensic Psychiatry & Psychology. Mar2005, Vol. 16 Issue 1, p127-138. 12P Burgess, Ann; Phillips, Steven. Victims & Offenders. May2006, Vol. 1 Issue 2, p193-204. 11p.