Between January 1, 1987 and September 30, 1990, 1,722 adult patients were evaluated by the Memphis Sexual Assault Resource Center (Tennessee). Of these, 53 were women 55 years old or older; 53 patients aged 18 to 45, who were seen immediately following the subjects in the study group, were selected for the control group. There was no difference in the time interval to examination for the two groups. The medical records of both groups were analyzed and compared to the demographic data. The results were analyzed using chi-square analysis. Among the elderly, the majority of assaults (71.7 percent) occurred at the victim's home, and most were committed by an unknown assailant. Genital injuries were more prevalent among the elderly victims. Intimidation by physical force was all that was necessary to subdue the victim in most cases, and the assailants' racial distribution was similar in both groups. Younger victims were more likely to report a previous sexual assault (24.5 percent of the younger women compared to 9.4 percent of the elderly victims). This may either reflect a cultural difference between the two groups or the increased likelihood that women in today's society will become sexual assault victims. 1 figure and 7 references