ABSTRACT

This chapter explains how the sexual assault of older women can be addressed and prevented through the lens of sexual rights. It is important to consider the unique experiences of older women and the ways in which these experiences are shaped by the intersections of gender and age. The chapter provides an overview of what is currently known about the sexual assault of older women. The bulk of the research conducted to date is concerned with older women in residential aged care settings. Older women appear to account for only a small minority of community-dwelling sexual assault victims. A range of different individuals perpetrate sexual violence against community-dwelling older women across different contexts. Research in residential aged care tends to be based on reports of sexual assault within a small number of facilities, rather than a broader sample. The factors that create vulnerability can negatively impact responses to elder sexual assault from the justice system and others.