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This article reports research findings concerning 119 alleged sexual perpetrators who were reported to state authorities for abusing elderly individuals residing in care facilities. The largest group of accused was employees of the facilities, followed by facility residents. Family members of the alleged victims and visitors to the facilities also were among those reported as sexually abusive. Investigation of the allegations by Adult Protective Services and regulatory staff resulted in 32 of these individuals being confirmed as sexual perpetrators against vulnerable elders. Male and female alleged and confirmed sexual perpetrators were identified as well as both male and female elderly sexual abuse victims. Perpetrator characteristics, victim vulnerabilities, abuse acts, locations of assaults, and available case outcomes are presented. Implications of the findings are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Suspected elder sexual abuse cases investigated by the Massachusetts Elder Protective Services Program between 1993 and 2002 were qualitatively analyzed using clinical consultation records. Cases that involved perpetrators who were family members of their victims inform this discussion of elder sexual abuse within the family. The cases fall into two groups: marital sexual abuse and incestuous abuse. Three patterns of marital cases were observed: (1) long-term domestic violence, (2) recent onset of sexual abuse within a long-term marriage, and (3) sexual victimization within a new marriage. Incestuous elder abuse involved cases perpetrated by adult children, other relatives, and quasi-relatives. Clinical dynamics observed in all types of cases are discussed. Selected cases illustrate abuse dynamics, problems confronting victims, and perpetrator characteristics. The range of abusive behaviors observed, etiological and contributing factors, and forensic markers of elder sexual abuse are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Suspected elder sexual abuse cases investigated by the Massachusetts Elder Protective Services Program between 1993 and 2002 were qualitatively analyzed using clinical consultation records. Cases that involved perpetrators who were family members of their victims inform this discussion of elder sexual abuse within the family. The cases fall into two groups: marital sexual abuse and incestuous abuse. Three patterns of marital cases were observed: (1) long-term domestic violence, (2) recent onset of sexual abuse within a long-term marriage, and (3) sexual victimization within a new marriage. Incestuous elder abuse involved cases perpetrated by adult children, other relatives, and quasi-relatives. Clinical dynamics observed in all types of cases are discussed. Selected cases illustrate abuse dynamics, problems confronting victims, and perpetrator characteristics. The range of abusive behaviors observed, etiological and contributing factors, and forensic markers of elder sexual abuse are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]