Perpetrators of domestic abuse against older adults – a rapid evidence assessment

Abstract

This rapid review examines the existing, published research on the demographic and health characteristics, and the offending behaviours and histories of perpetrators of domestic violence and abuse against adults aged 60 and over. Using a systematic methodology, searches were conducted in five databases: MEDLINE Complete, APA PsychInfo, CINAHL Complete, SociINDEX with Full Text, Criminal Justice Abstracts with Full Text, and Web of Science (Core Collection), resulting in 75 papers being included in the review. Much of the available evidence comes from the elder abuse field, with few specific domestic abuse studies. The review found that non-intimate partners, that is (adult) children or other family members, are the most frequently reported perpetrator group. Most perpetrators tend to be male, and, where information is available, poor health, and drug and alcohol problems are often reported. We conclude that we need to build more evidence on perpetrators of domestic violence and abuse using a wider methodology, which should be situated within the conceptual lens of domestic abuse, and that policy and practice should urgently review whether existing risk assessment tools and perpetrator programmes are suitable given most domestic abuse of older adults is perpetrated by younger sons, daughters or other family members.