1. Comparing routes of reporting in elder sexual abuse cases.
- Author
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Burgess AW, Ramsey-Klawsnik H, and Gregorian SB
- Subjects
- Adult, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Caregivers legislation & jurisprudence, Elder Abuse legislation & jurisprudence, Female, Forensic Medicine methods, Home Nursing, Homes for the Aged, Humans, Interpersonal Relations, Male, Mandatory Reporting, Middle Aged, Nursing Homes, Rape diagnosis, Rape statistics & numerical data, Retrospective Studies, Sex Offenses legislation & jurisprudence, Trust, United States epidemiology, Caregivers statistics & numerical data, Elder Abuse diagnosis, Elder Abuse statistics & numerical data, Residence Characteristics statistics & numerical data, Sex Offenses statistics & numerical data, Vulnerable Populations statistics & numerical data
- Abstract
An exploratory study of 284 cases of alleged elder sexual abuse revealed fairly equal numbers of reports to the criminal justice system (CJS) and to Adult Protective Services (APS). Comparison of these two routes of reporting indicated the following: Suspected victims reported to APS were more likely to reside in their own homes, not receive rape exams, and have cognitive disabilities. Their alleged offenders were typically spouse/partners or family members age 40 or older. Victims reported to CJS were more frequently abused in institutions, received rape exams, and were victimized by offenders under age 40 who also committed nonsexual crimes. In cases reported to the CJS, alleged offenders were less likely than those in the APS cases to be identified, but once identified, were more likely to be arrested, referred for prosecution, and convicted, or to plea bargain their case.
- Published
- 2008
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