Older People and Domestic Violence and Abuse

This chapter draws directly on the learning from the Dewis Choice project (see link http://choice.aber.ac.uk/choice-initiative/) and the latest research to share good practice in cases of domestic abuse where older people are the victims of abuse either by intimate partners or other family members. The chapter highlights the importance of treating people aged 60 years and over as equals, by providing equality of opportunity when making choices about domestic abuse and coercive control. For practitioners, direct advice is provided that will help them to engage with their clients and recognise discrimination, especially ageism both within and across agencies they will work with within a safeguarding/domestic abuse framework. Many signs of domestic abuse can be masked by signs of ageing, acting on stereotypical assumptions about what older people want may result in denying an older person their basic human rights. Ensuring that an older person is in a position to make an informed choice about what they want and do not want and giving them the opportunity to change their minds without judgement ensures a safer client-centred approach. The chapter concludes by providing good practice examples and key tips for all practitioners working with older people.