TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2021//
TI  - Sexual violence in older adults: a Belgian prevalence study
JO  - BMC geriatrics
A1  - Nobels, Anne
A1  - Cismaru-Inescu, Adina
A1  - Nisen, Laurent
A1  - Hahaut, Bastien
A1  - Beaulieu, Marie
A1  - Lemmens, Gilbert
A1  - Adam, Stéphane
A1  - Schapansky, Evelyn
A1  - Vandeviver, Christophe
A1  - Keygnaert, Ines
SP  - e601
EP  - e601
VL  - 21
IS  - 1
N2  - BACKGROUND: Sexual violence (SV) is an important public health problem which may cause long-lasting health problems. SV in older adults remains neglected in research, policies and practices. Valid SV prevalence estimates and associated risk factors in older adults are currently unavailable. In this study we measured lifetime and past 12-months sexual victimisation in older adults living in Belgium, its correlates, assailant characteristics and the way that victims framed their SV experiences. <br><br>METHODS: SV was measured using behaviourally specific questions based on a broad definition of SV. Participants were selected via a cluster random probability sampling with a random route finding approach. Information on sexual victimisation, correlates, assailant characteristics and framing was collected via structured face-to-face interviews with adults aged 70 years and older living in Belgium (community-dwelling, assisted living and nursing homes). <br><br>RESULTS: Among the 513 participants, the lifetime SV prevalence was 44% (55% F, 29% M). Past 12-months prevalence was 8% (9% F, 8% M). Female sex and a higher number of sexual partners were associated with lifetime SV (p < .05), non-heterosexual sexual orientation with past 12-months SV (p < .05). Correlates identified to be linked to elder abuse and neglect in previous studies were not linked with SV in our sample. 'Someone unknown' was identified as most common assailant. <br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Sexual victimisation appears to be common in older adults in Belgium. Both correlates and assailant characteristics seem to differ from previous studies on elder abuse and neglect. Recognizing older adults as a risk group for sexual victimisation in research, policies and practices is of the utmost importance.<p />  <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 1471-2318
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12877-021-02485-3
ID  - ref1
ER  -