Content warning:
This passage includes sensitive content about sexual violence and may be triggering for some readers.
1. Sexual violence services are limited and not older-women-specific
In the advocate’s state, only two main specialist sexual violence services exist:
- One service for adult survivors of child sexual abuse (within a relationships service).
- One rape and sexual assault service (16+ up into the 90s).
There are significant service gaps, especially for older people and for adults abused as children.
Most services are not designed specifically for older women, even though they attend.
2. Shame, stigma and discomfort are intensified for older women
- High levels of stigma and shame.
- Low confidence to disclose, even to close family and friends.
Confusion, tension and discomfort about sexual topics can block disclosure.
3. Myths and stereotypes about older people hide sexual violence
- Older people are not sexual.
- They are not at risk of sexual assault.
- Service providers think “this isn’t relevant to older people”.
- They don’t ask, don’t screen, and miss grooming and abuse.
- Red flags get dismissed as “I must be misreading this”.
Implication for frontline workers:
4. Sexual violence is about vulnerability and betrayal of trust
- Exploiting vulnerability.
- Misusing trusting relationships (not just strangers).
Older people can be highly vulnerable (health, dependency, isolation), and that is what perpetrators exploit.
Implication for frontline workers:
Focus on power, trust and vulnerability, not just “sex”.
5. Very high prevalence means screening should include older people
The advocate cites high prevalence rates (across women, men, children).
- It is statistically likely many older clients have past or recent sexual violence in their history.
- Screening and assessment should include the possibility of sexual assault, handled with care.
6. Create trauma-Informed, disclosure-friendly environments
- What does a trauma-informed environment look and feel like for older people?
- How can we create safe opportunities for disclosure (if they want to)?
Services should also:
- Support family and friends with their own reactions.
- Help them respond in ways that make the older person feel safe and supported.
Aim to normalise conversations about sexual violence at service and community levels.
7. How to ask: language and framing matter
- Build trust and safety first.
- Use questions such as:
- “Has anything of a sexual nature ever made you feel scared or uncomfortable?”
- “Is this something you’d feel comfortable talking about with me?”
- “Is there someone else you’d feel more comfortable talking to?”
- Don’t have the language for “sexual assault”.
- Don’t know if their experience “counts”.
Implication for frontline workers:
Ask about feelings and impact, not legal labels.
8. Additional barriers for non-English speaking and CALD older women
- A barrier (if they’re known in the community; fear of gossip).
- Or a support (when they validate and reassure the survivor).
- Training on myths and stereotypes.
- Awareness of their own body language and responses.
- Ability to explain nuances in language, not just literal translation.
Implication for frontline workers:
Interpreter choice and training are critical when supporting older women from non-English speaking backgrounds.
9. Police and justice responses are inconsistent and often unspecialised
- Good” and “not so great” responses reported.
- Offender is a stranger,
- Report is immediate,
- Injuries + forensic exam occur quickly.
- High attrition.
- Greater risk of not progressing.
Implication for frontline workers:
Older women, especially with cognitive or mental health issues, are at high risk of being disbelieved or dropped by the system.
10. Service access and outreach are a problem for older women
- Travelling to the service, or
- Using phone (often not video).
- Struggle with transport.
- Be uncomfortable with telehealth platforms.
Implication for frontline workers:
Lack of outreach and home-based options can effectively exclude many older women.
11. What older women need from services
- Physical and forensic care + crisis support.
- Appropriate counselling and ongoing emotional support.
- Choice and flexibility in how, where, and with whom they receive help.
- A sense of empowerment, not pressure.
- Sensitive work with family members who may need support, but where the woman may not want to “burden” them.
12. Training gaps are large – Especially around older women
- Recognising that sexual violence happens at all ages.
- Understanding trauma responses (including behavioural signs).
- Challenging myths and stereotypes about older people.
- Safely opening conversations without forcing disclosure.
There is very little specialised training or specialised legal response for crimes against older people, including sexual violence.
Implication for frontline workers:
Frontline workers should not assume “the system” is well trained; you may need to actively seek skills and knowledge.
13. Trauma in later life and aged care
- Have flashbacks to earlier childhood abuse that feel like it’s happening now.
- Assume residents may have trauma histories (sexual and other).
- Embed trauma-informed care into everyday practice.
Sexual assault services and aged care services both share responsibility and need to work together.
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