A narrative review of U.S. elder abuse perpetrator research and its implications for developing alternative perpetrator interventions for use by prosecutors

Abstract

After decades of advocacy, prosecution of elder abuse has increased, a trend that is likely to continue. However, the increased scrutiny of elder abuse has raised questions about the consequences of prosecution on victims, perpetrators, and society, calling for a careful analysis of when and how the criminal justice system intervenes in these cases. To understand the nature and characteristics of elder abuse perpetrators, the article briefly reviews three sources of administrative data on perpetrators, followed by a concise review of the perpetrator research, most of which does not draw from criminal justice samples. To explain how the criminal justice system responds to elder abuse perpetrators, the article describes the criminal justice system's philosophy, the careful balancing of multiple factors when exercising prosecutorial discretion and provides a compilation of criminal justice responses that may be available to prosecutors in elder abuse cases. Recommendations for improvements in administrative data and increases in the quantity and quality of perpetrator research are presented. Where prosecution may be warranted, this paper argues that prosecutors would benefit from having a range of pre- and post-charging perpetrator interventions available. Filling research gaps identified in this paper could form the foundation for developing targeted criminal justice responses that both address the underlying causes of perpetrator criminal behavior and consider victim's wishes and may ultimately increase the safety and well-being of older adults and the communities in which they live.