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RAPE AND OLDER WOMEN - A GUIDE TO PREVENTION AND PROTECTION

NCJ Number
59741
Author(s)
L J DAVIS; E M BRADY
Date Published
1979
Length
179 pages
Annotation
AS A GUIDE TO PREVENT RAPE AND TO REDUCE FEAR OF SUCH ASSAULTS AMONG ELDERLY WOMEN, DISCUSSION CENTERS ON THE THE PROCESS OF AGING, THE VULNERABLILITY OF OLDER WOMEN, AND THE IMPACT OF RAPE ON SUCH WOMEN.
Abstract
THE GUIDE EXAMINES THE SPECIAL VULNERABILITY OF OLDER WOMEN LIVING IN NEIGHBORHOODS THAT HAVE BECOME HIGH-CRIME AREAS, IN TERMS OF THE DEVELOPMENTAL CONCEPT OF AGING, PHYSICAL CHANGES AND HEALTH STATUS OF OLDER WOMEN, THEIR SHARED HISTORICAL EXPERIENCES, SOCIAL ROLES AND FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS, AND THE URBAN ENVIRONMENT. IT IS SHOWN THAT ALTHOUGH OLDER WOMEN MAY NOT BECOME VICTIMS OF RAPE AS OFTEN AS THEIR YOUNGER COUNTERPARTS, THEY ARE PROFOUNDLY AFFECTED BY A CONSTANT FEAR OF BECOMING VICTIMS, CAUSING THEM TO REDUCE THEIR SOCIAL ACTIVITIES AND THEIR INDEPENDENCE. TO INSTILL CONFIDENCE IN OLDER WOMEN, THE GUIDE SUGGESTS SPECIFIC AVOIDANCE BEHAVIORS THAT OLDER WOMEN CAN PRACTICE IN THEIR HOMES, IN BUILDINGS, ON THE STREETS, WHILE TRAVELING, AND WHILE BANKING. THESE RECOMMENDATIONS ARE ALSO APPLICABLE TO YOUNGER AGE GROUPS AND MEN. PHYSICAL DESIGN AND HARDWARE SPECIFICATIONS FOR INCREASING THE SAFETY OF DWELLING UNITS ARE PROVIDED, AS WELL AS DESCRIPTIONS OF SPECIAL ACTIVITIES ENTAILING COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT IN A RAPE PREVENTION PROGRAM. TWO SUCCESSFUL COMMUNITY SECURITY PROGRAMS LOCATED IN PHILADELPHIA, PA., ILLUSTRATE DIFFERENT APPROACHES TOWARD CRIME PREVENTION. IN ADDITIONAL, RESOURCES FOR EDUCATION AND TRAINING PROGRAMS ARE PROVIDED FOR THOSE SEEKING AUDIOVISUAL AND WRITTEN AIDS OR FURTHER INFORMATION ON EXISTING PREVENTION AND CRISIS INTERVENTION PROGRAMS. SOME STATISTICAL DATA, A GLOSSARY OF TERMS, AND A BIBLIOGRAPHY ARE PROVIDED. (WJR)