Domestic Violence is a pattern of behavior used to establish power and control over another person through fear and intimidation, often including the threat or use of violence.
Other terms for domestic violence include intimate partner violence, battering, relationship abuse, spousal abuse, or family violence.
Domestic Violence in Late Adulthood
Often times Domestic Violence isn't report in late adulthood. Although there are some report majority of the violent issue adults deal with in late adulthood is elder abuse.
What is elder abuse? Elder abuse is any knowing, intended, or careless act that causes harm or serious risk of harm to an older person physically, mentally, emotionally, or financially. The term is quite broad and encompasses many different
types of mistreatment:
Physical abuse - Use of force to threaten or physically injure a
vulnerable elder.
Emotional abuse - Verbal attacks, threats, rejection, isolation, or
belittling acts that cause or could cause mental anguish, pain, or
distress to an elder.
Sexual abuse - Sexual contact that is forced, tricked, threatened,
or otherwise coerced upon another person, including anyone who is unable
to grant consent.
Exploitation - Theft, fraud, misuse or neglect of authority, and
use of ʺundue influenceʺ as a lever to gain control over an older
person’s money or property.
Neglect - A caregiver’s failure or refusal to provide for a
vulnerable elder’s safety, physical, or emotional needs.
Abandonment - Desertion of a frail or vulnerable elder by anyone
with a duty of care.
Self-neglect - An inability to understand the consequences of one’s
own actions or inaction, which leads to, or may lead to, harm or
endangerment.