The author(s) shown below used Federal funds provided by the U.S. 

Department of Justice and prepared the following final report: 

Document Title: Domestic Violence Against Older Women: Final 

Technical Report 

Author(s): Burton D. Dunlop, Richard L. Beaulaurier, Laura 

R. Seff, Fred L. Newman, Neena Malik, Melissa 

Fuster 

Document No.: 212349 

Date Received: December 2005 

Award Number: 2002-WG-BX-0010 

This report has not been published by the U.S. Department of Justice. 

To provide better customer service, NCJRS has made this Federallyfunded grant final report available electronically in addition to 

traditional paper copies. 

Opinions or points of view expressed are those 

of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect 

the official position or policies of the U.S. 

Department of Justice. 
Domestic Violence Against Older 

Women: Final Technical Report 

Prepared for 

The National Institute of Justice 

by 

The Center on Aging of Florida International 

University 

NIJ #2002-WG-BX-0100 

April 2005 

Burton D. Dunlop, Ph.D., Principal Investigator 

Richard L. Beaulaurier, Ph.D., Co-Principal Investigator 

Laura R. Seff, MBA, Co-Investigator 

Fred L. Newman, Ph.D., Consulting Investigator 

Neena Malik, Ph.D., Consulting Investigator 

Melissa Fuster, Project Coordinator 

The Center on Aging 

3000 NE 151 Street, AC1-234 

North Miami, FL 33181 

Tel: 305-919-5550 ♦ Fax: 305-919-5585 

The views expressed here are those of the authors and do not purport to reflect 

the position of the National Institute of Justice or the U.S. Department of Justice. 

This document is a research report submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice. This report has not 

been published by the Department. Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s) 

and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.
Domestic Violence Against Older Women NIJ#2002-WG-BS-0100 Technical Report 

TABLE OF CONTENTS 

Page

 Abstract 4 

I. Draft Summary 5 

A. Project Description 5 

1. Data Collection 5 

2. Data Analysis 6 

B. Key Findings 7 

1. Domestic Abuse 8 

2. Barriers to Help-Seeking 9 

3. Related Concepts 9 

4. Other Findings 12 

 Importance of the Justice System 12 

 Abuse by Someone Other Than Spouse or IP 13 

 Accommodation and Survival 13 

 The Impact of Age 14 

 The Impact of Ethnicity and Race 14 

C. Implications for Criminal Justice 14 

II. Background 16 

A. Review of Literature Cited in the Project Proposal 16 

B. Update to the Original Literature Review 19 

1. Issues Related to DV in General 19 

2. Issues Related to DV and EA in Older People 20 

3. Health Issues Regarding DV and EA 21 

III. Research Methods 23 

A. Data Collection 23 

1. Initial Focus Groups 23 

a. Focus Group Protocol 23 

b. Initial Focus Group Sample 24 

 c. Subject Recruitment 25 

d. Protection of Human Subjects and Informed Consent 27 

e. Focus Group Facilitator Training 28 

f. Initial Focus Group Data Collection 28 

2. Workshop with Community Professionals 29 

B. Analysis of Focus Group Data 31 

IV. Findings 32 

A. Model Development 32 

1. Domestic Abuse and Help-Seeking Behavior 34 

2. Domestic Abuse 36 

3. Barriers to Help-Seeking 38 

4. Related Concepts 38 

The Center on Aging of Florida International University 2 

This document is a research report submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice. This report has not 

been published by the Department. Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s) 

and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.
Domestic Violence Against Older Women NIJ#2002-WG-BS-0100 Technical Report 

Page

 (1) Isolation 39 

(2) Jealousy 40 

(3) Intimidation 40 

 (4) Protecting Family 41 

 (5) Self-Blame 43 

(6) Powerlessness 45 

(7) Spirituality 47 

 (8) Hopelessness 49 

 (9) Secrecy 50 

 (10) Concern for Abuser 52 

 (11) Justice System Response 53 

B. Other Themes Identified in Analyses 55 

1. Importance of the Justice System 56 

2. Abusers Include Adult Children and Parents 59 

3. Accommodation and Survival 60 

C. Observations Regarding Variations by Age, Ethnicity, and Race 60 

1. Variations by Age 60 

2. Variations by Ethnicity and Race 61 

V. Project Products 63 

A. Draft Survey Tool 63 

B. Draft Practice Guidelines 65 

C. Dissemination of Results 66 

1. Community Involvement 66 

2. National Dissemination and Continued Research 66 

VI. Challenges and Limitations of the Study 66 

VII. Conclusions and Recommendations 68 

References 70 

Appendices 77 

A. Focus group protocol 78 

B. Facilitator training handbook 83 

C. Focus group participant information packets 84 

D. Draft Survey Tool 85 

E. Draft Practice Guidelines 93 

The Center on Aging of Florida International University 3 

This document is a research report submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice. This report has not 

been published by the Department. Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s) 

and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.
Domestic Violence Against Older Women NIJ#2002-WG-BS-0100 Technical Report 

ABSTRACT 

Domestic Violence Against Older Women 

NIJ #2002-WG-BX-0100 

Statement of Purpose: The researchers sought to increase knowledge and 

understanding regarding domestic violence (DV) against older women by allowing 

older women themselves to speak about how they define DV; their views about 

causes, reporting, interventions, and consequences for perpetrators; factors that deter 

or prevent help-seeking from the justice system and community agencies; and 

elements of outreach and intervention strategies they see as acceptable and/or 

desirable. 

Subject Description: We conducted 21 focus groups with 134 women in varying 

combinations of three ethnic/racial groups (Hispanic, Black non-Hispanic, White nonHispanic), three age cohorts (45-59, 60-74, 75+), two income levels (above or below 

$14,856) and presence or absence of prior DV victimization. 

Methods: Trained facilitators conducted sessions using a protocol designed to elicit 

discussion regarding research questions with minimal facilitator participation. Focus 

groups were audio-taped, transcribed verbatim, and translated to English (if the group 

was conducted in Spanish). ATLAS.ti, a computer assisted qualitative data analysis 

software program, was used to organize and assist in data analysis. Preliminary codes 

were developed from the transcripts and confirmed by the research team. In the next 

phase themes regarding the primary research questions were identified and named; 

ATLAS.ti was used to explore linkages between codes, generate themes, map 

relationships and ultimately to produce a testable theory grounded in the response 

patterns of respondents. 

Results and Conclusions: Two important constructs that emerged were Domestic 

Abuse (DA), which encompasses emotional, physical, and sexual abuse, and Barriers 

to Help-Seeking (BHS), which appears to be closely related to the experience of 

victimization. In addition, eleven concepts emerged from the data. Seven of these – 

Isolation, Jealousy, Intimidation, Protecting Family, Self-Blame, Powerlessness, and 

Spirituality – appeared to be related to both the experience of DA and BHS. An 

additional four factors – Secrecy, Hopelessness, Concern for Abuser, and Justice 

System Response seemed to be most directly related to BHS. A quantitative study 

based on the model is needed to clarify and confirm it. Notably, the preponderance of 

participants, both non-victims and victims, view the justice system as the correct and 

appropriate cluster of institutions to address individual incidents of domestic abuse. An 

additional significant finding was that both non-victim and victim respondents 

overwhelmingly agreed that emotional abuse is as bad as, or worse than, physical 

abuse. 

The Center on Aging of Florida International University 4 

This document is a research report submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice. This report has not 

been published by the Department. Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s) 

and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.
Domestic Violence Against Older Women NIJ#2002-WG-BS-0100 Technical Report 

I. SUMMARY 

A. Project Description 

In 2002 the National Institute of Justice awarded The Center on Aging of Florida 

International University funding to conduct a two-year study, entitled Domestic 

Violence Against Older Women (DVAOW, NIJ#2002-WG-BX-0100). This report is 

based on the DVAOW study, which was completed in December 2004. 

1. Data Collection. The researchers sought to increase knowledge and 

understanding about domestic violence (DV) against older women by allowing older 

women themselves to speak about how they define DV; their views about causes, 

reporting, interventions, and consequences for perpetrators; factors that deter or 

prevent help-seeking from public safety, law enforcement, the courts, and social 

service and healthcare agencies; and elements of outreach and intervention strategies 

they see as acceptable and/or desirable. We employed focus groups of varying 

demographic compositions to explore relationships, to gather in-depth information 

about attitudes, understanding, and behavior, and to begin generating grounded 

theory that subsequent research will investigate. The focus group protocol was crafted 

to ensure that useful information was elicited while maintaining sensitivity to 

respondents’ emotions, privacy, and culture. Probes focused around basic topics to 

elicit the data needed to answer the research questions. 

We employed maximum variation sampling (determinates of group composition 

included age, annual income, race/ethnicity, and previous identification as a victim) to 

enhance capture and description of central themes that cut across participant 

variation. Including individuals who might be expected to have had strikingly different 

experiences and attitudes in the sample made it possible to describe common patterns 

and to identify a full range of potential responses. 

Several strategies were used to recruit volunteer participants for the “nonvictim” focus groups. The most successful approach overall was advertising in the biweekly community activity section of the local daily newspaper. Additionally, volunteer 

recruitment flyers were posted in common areas where older women gather. For victim 

subject recruitment we made personal contact with local agencies that provide 

services to DV victims (of any age) and asked them to post flyers regarding the 

research. All notices said that participants would receive a $25 stipend. 

Women called a project phone line to volunteer and were screened by the 

project coordinator, first to determine that they met the age criterion, and then to 

identify the other demographic markers necessary for determining to which group they 

would be assigned. A total of 426 volunteers for the 18 non-victim groups met the age 

criteria and 40 women volunteered for the three victim groups. Notably, we 

encountered an unexpectedly high number of women who reported having suffered 

DV and abuse in the 18 non-victim groups; approximately 25 percent. An additional 6 

percent alluded to, but did not confirm, prior DV. Therefore, we were able to capture 

the perspectives of both victims and and non-victims. 

The research team trained focus group facilitators in two sessions with a 

curriculum that emphasized proper and consistent use of the protocol, teased out 

The Center on Aging of Florida International University 5 

This document is a research report submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice. This report has not 

been published by the Department. Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s) 

and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.
Domestic Violence Against Older Women NIJ#2002-WG-BS-0100 Technical Report 

potential problems arising from the subject matter or personal bias, and allowed us to 

observe role-plays in order to assess facilitator capability. The training also addressed 

strategies for creating rapport and encouraging open participation in the groups, 

including instructions for responding to women who identified themselves as victims 

needing assistance. 

Focus groups lasted approximately two hours. Food and beverages were 

offered at each session. Researchers observed that participants relaxed as they 

began to eat and drink together. This allowed us to run two-hour groups, with one 

short break, without participants becoming distracted, losing interest, or tiring. At the 

conclusion of each session participants received information about various community 

resources to help women, including immigrant women, who experience DV or elder 

abuse. Every participant received a $25 stipend. 

With very few exceptions respondents were eager to share their ideas and 

personal stories with other participants and the researchers, and quite a few 

commented on how much they enjoyed this type of forum. Also, although we were 

clear in describing data collection as the reason for the groups, many respondents 

commented that they experienced therapeutic benefits as a result of their participation. 

To confirm our preliminary focus group findings with professional peers we 

conducted a half-day meeting with 18 community professionals, including 

representatives from law enforcement, DV shelters, adult protective services, fire 

rescue, several community mental health and social service agencies, and the MiamiDade County Domestic Violence Oversight Board. After we presented concepts drawn 

from initial analysis of the focus group data, workshop participants generally confirmed 

preliminary findings and offered valuable suggestions, which helped to guide 

subsequent analyses. 

2. Data Analysis. Each focus group audio tape was transcribed verbatim. 

Parameters for coding, including establishing the mutual exclusiveness and level of 

specificity necessary to code quotations in the text, were discussed among team 

members before initial coding began. Then researchers independently coded the 

same transcript, after which the team met to discuss and unify their coding strategies. 

Researchers coded the remaining transcripts independently. However, all codes used 

in subsequent analyses were reviewed and agreed upon by multiple reviewers as a 

result of periodic cross-coder transcript reviews. 

The computer assisted qualitative data analysis software program ATLAS.ti was 

used to organize and assist in the analysis of transcribed data. ATLAS.ti allowed us 

easy access to the quotations upon which codes, themes, networks, and other 

constructs were built, which facilitated continuous context-based checks on the 

meaning that respondents assigned to concepts and helped to avoid reifying concepts 

not contextually grounded in respondent quotations. Its ability to organize open and 

axial codes, provide flexible “memoing”, searching, viewing, and note-taking 

techniques, and its powerful relationship-mapping capabilities helped us ultimately to 

produce a testable theory grounded in the response patterns of respondents (see 

Figure 1). 

The Center on Aging of Florida International University 6 

This document is a research report submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice. This report has not 

been published by the Department. Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s) 

and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.
Domestic Violence Against Older Women NIJ#2002-WG-BS-0100 Technical Report 

The analysis protocol required that every concept reported as “grounded” in the 

study data be present in the transcribed texts in the form of one or more “quotations”1

. 

All codes in the theoretical networks that emerged were linked to respondent 

quotations either directly (low order codes) or indirectly (high order codes). Although 

the resulting model (Figure 1) resembles a path diagram, it is important to note that the 

relationships are theoretical. The model was derived from the data but has not yet 

been tested using quantitative path modeling techniques. 

Figure 1. Model of Domestic Abuse and Barriers to Help-Seeking 

Intimidation 

Isolation 

Self-Blame 

l

Spirituality 

Family for Abuser 

y 

Domestic Abuse Barriers to Help Seeking 

Power essnes 

Protecting Concern 

Secrecy 

Hopelessness 

Justice System 

Response 

Jealous

NOTE: The association between Spirituality and both DA and BHS is not clearly one-way and may, in 

fact, work both ways. This also applies to the relationships between Hopelessness and both 

Intimidation, and Powerlessness, as well as between the Justice System Response and Concern for 

Abuser. 

B. Key Findings 

One of the most important findings of this study relates to understanding the 

relationship between the two constructs Domestic Abuse (DA) and Barriers to HelpSeeking (BHS) in older women who experience DV. Figure 1 shows a model of our 

understanding of these constructs and their relationship to the 11 concepts that 

 A quotation is a selection of text to which one or more concept labels or “codes” can be assigned. 

The Center on Aging of Florida International University 7 

1

This document is a research report submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice. This report has not 

been published by the Department. Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s) 

and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.
Domestic Violence Against Older Women NIJ#2002-WG-BS-0100 Technical Report 

emerged from the DVAOW data. Seven of the identified concepts appear to be related 

to both DA and BHS, while the remaining four seemed more directly related to BHS. 

The interrelationship between DA and characteristics of help-seeking aversion 

is a concept that has not been described previously in the literature on older DV 

victims and survivors. Several researchers have, however, described aspects of the 

relationship between DA and BHS in small qualitative studies with younger samples. 

For example, Belknap (1999) identified the resolution of moral conflict between needs 

of self and needs of others as contributing to the choices victims make regarding 

staying in or leaving an abusive relationship. She concluded, “Options chosen in the 

context of abuse are not freely made, but are coerced by the situation”. Lutenbacher 

and colleagues (2003) described three themes – living an unnatural experience, the 

experience of telling, and the experience of leaving – that merge aspects of DA with 

BHS. In studies regarding women who left relationships in which they were battered, 

researchers found a connection between modifications in how the victim saw herself 

and/or the abuse, and the willingness or ability to overcome BHS (e.g., Ferraro and 

Johnson, 1983; Landenburger, 1989; Ulrich, 1991). 

To completely appreciate the significance of this finding in older victims it is 

essential to understand the concept of help-seeking as expressed by DVAOW 

respondents. Respondents who had been abused often said that abuse had occurred 

over the course of most of their adult lives. An important implication is that women who 

remain in such abusive relationships have found ways of accommodating and 

surviving the abuse, which is consistent with Grigsby and Hartman’s (1997) 

speculation that behaviors often ascribed to “codependency” may in fact be 

adaptations that allowed women to survive relationships with a violent partner. 

Dienemann and colleagues (2002) observed that the goal of women who 

experience DV is seeking to end violence and conflict in the intimate partner 

relationship. They point out, however, that the current “standard” for DV intervention, 

usually thought to be permanent cessation of violence through leaving the relationship, 

may not be the ideal or appropriate solution, and in any case, does not necessarily 

stop the violence. This finding also was noted in an earlier study (Campbell, et al. 

1998) that examined women’s responses to battering in contextual and longitudinal 

research of a small sample of younger DV victims. Likewise, we found that, for 

DVAOW respondents, help-seeking often was not synonymous with ending the violent 

relationship, but rather with minimizing and coping with the abusive behavior. 

1. Domestic Abuse. Both victim and non-victim participants were largely in 

agreement that there is no clear demarcation between physical DV and psychological, 

emotional, or verbal forms of abuse. Moreover, respondents tended to insist that the 

emotional component was, if anything, worse than the physical. For example, one 

focus group participant stated that “...the psychological mistreatment is felt and it goes 

on destroying one from the inside. Many women don't know that this is worse than any 

other thing because it starts damaging a person's mind. Our entire life is damaged 

because of emotional violence.” 

This idea was originally proposed by Walker (1979) who reported that battered 

women considered humiliation and verbal assaults to be more upsetting than physical 

violence, and then by Follingstad and colleagues (1990) who reported that 72% of 

The Center on Aging of Florida International University 8 

This document is a research report submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice. This report has not 

been published by the Department. Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s) 

and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.
Domestic Violence Against Older Women NIJ#2002-WG-BS-0100 Technical Report 

physically abused women in their sample stated that emotional abuse by their partner 

had a more negative effect than physical violence. In recent years a number of studies 

on emotional abuse have been reported. Kelly (2004) provided a detailed review of the 

psychological abuse of women literature. She noted, particularly, that although the 

construct of psychological abuse of women is extremely complex, information 

throughout the literature has been relatively consistent. Our findings confirm this for 

older women. 

We adopted the term Domestic Abuse (DA) in this report at the suggestion of 

several respondents who articulated the importance of language that incorporated 

emotional as well as physical abuse. Therefore, DA as it is used in the current report 

encompasses verbal, emotional, psychological, physical, and sexual abuse,2

 violence, 

and battering. Although more research is needed, these concepts do not appear to 

represent a continuum, but rather different aspects of an overall behavior pattern, 

which may occur alone or in various combinations. This contradicts some reported 

research findings that characterized the change from less physical to more physical 

abuse as a progressive, linear process. 

The concepts of physical and emotional abuse have different implications within 

the JS, making the definition of DA proposed by DVAOW respondents challenging to 

adopt. This emphasizes the need for more dialogue and research to better integrate 

victim needs with JS structure. 

2. Barriers to Help-Seeking. The BHS construct incorporates factors that 

influence help-seeking behavior among older women. The literature includes reports of 

many studies that confirm various aspects of our model in terms of BHS. For example, 

Dienemann and colleagues (2002) described concepts that fit nicely into our 

conceptualization of Isolation, Jealousy, Protecting Family, and Intimidation. Anderson 

and colleagues (2003), who explored why victims don’t leave an abusive relationship, 

or leave and then return, supported their findings based on the Model of Barriers 

proposed by Grigsby and Hartman (1997), which includes most DAVOW concepts. All 

of these studies were conducted with relatively young samples. 

Two studies addressed BHS specifically in older women. Zink and colleagues 

(2003) organized reasons for remaining in abusive relationships into three categories: 

cohort effects, period effects and aging effects, all of which are consistent with our 

model. Also consistent with perceptions expressed by DVAOW respondents, Scott and 

her colleagues (2004) reported that barriers faced by all DA victims in obtaining help 

are multiplied in older age groups. 

3. Related Concepts. Eleven concepts emerged from the data and are 

described below. The first seven of these appear to be connected to both DA and 

BHS. The last four concepts seem to relate more directly to BHS only. Additionally, 

although we do not believe there is any impact on the model, some concepts 

(Isolation, Jealousy, Intimidation) are “abuser driven”, while others (Protecting Family, 

Self-Blame, Powerlessness, Secrecy, Hopelessness, and Concern for Abuser) are 

2

 In their comments respondents implied that sexual abuse is part of domestic abuse. However while 

they discussed many instances (both personal and known to them) of emotional and physical abuse, 

there was relatively little overt discussion of sexual abuse. 

The Center on Aging of Florida International University 9 

This document is a research report submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice. This report has not 

been published by the Department. Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s) 

and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.
Domestic Violence Against Older Women NIJ#2002-WG-BS-0100 Technical Report 

better described as “victim driven”. The Justice System Response concept does not 

appear to fit into either of these categories. 

(1) Isolation: In some cases Isolation was self-perpetuating. Women who felt they 

would otherwise be alone sometimes relied on their spouse for companionship. 

More often, however, Isolation appeared to result from the husband’s controlling 

behaviors. 

(2) Jealousy: Jealously in this context is a husband’s/partner’s rational or irrational 

fear that his wife/partner may have liaisons with one or more other men. Some 

women saw Jealousy as a provocation for abuse. Notably, Jealousy seemed to 

relate to some of the same controlling behaviors that lead to Isolation. 

(3) Intimidation: This concept describes behavior of an abuser that kept a 

respondent ever mindful that her spouse or partner posed a persistent danger 

to herself and her family. Respondents indicated that, as is the case with 

Jealousy, the type of controlling behaviors that tend to isolate women also may 

intimidate and coerce them into doing what the abuser wants, with the added 

component of personal fear. This fear, which was often palpable in respondent 

comments, stemmed from a concrete history of physical or psychological harm 

perpetrated by the abuser. DVAOW participants indicated that threats can take 

many forms, and need not be physical to be effective. 

(4) Protecting Family: This concept describes our finding that family and their 

responsibility for children loomed large as concerns for most women in the 

DVAOW study. Even for women with adult children, the relationship with 

offspring was important. In some cases protecting family meant that the 

respondent felt responsible for making sure that the abuser did not harm other 

family members. Some women felt that the most important aspect of protecting 

was to “break the cycle” of abuse; that is, to protect children from becoming 

abusers or DA victims in the future. Other women felt that it was important to 

protect the family as a unit (as opposed to individual family members) through 

their silence about abuse, a finding that previously has not been reported in the 

DV literature on older victims. These conflicting feelings are, however, 

consistent with Belknap’s (1999) findings in a small sample of relatively young 

DV victims and survivors. 

(5) Self-Blame: This concept describes a woman’s belief that she is responsible 

for and/or deserves the abuse perpetrated by her partner. Family, upbringing, 

and religion as well as respondents’ perceived role as women were integral 

parts of these feelings. Some respondents said that feelings of Self-Blame are 

exceptionally intense in older women. Additionally, there were many comments, 

particularly from women who had experienced violence, to the effect that 

abusers exploit these feelings over time, which may have the results of 

predisposing a woman to abuse or preventing women from seeking help. Even 

at times when women reported having sought help, Self-Blame was often a 

dominant emotion. 

(6) Powerlessness: This concept, seemingly perpetuated by ongoing abusive 

behavior, describes a respondent’s acceptance of the perpetrator’s total control. 

The Center on Aging of Florida International University 10 

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been published by the Department. Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s) 

and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.
Domestic Violence Against Older Women NIJ#2002-WG-BS-0100 Technical Report 

Many women expressed feelings of Powerlessness and said that they were 

staying, or had stayed, in abusive relationships in part because they felt that 

they had little choice. Respondents gave numerous examples of controlling 

behavior by the spouse and many felt that abuse was a way that the abuser 

demonstrated his power and control over the victim. In some cases women 

described the act of escaping abuse or eliminating physical abuse as one of 

changing the power and control dynamics in the relationship. 

The principal themes that respondents indicated as contributing to these 

feelings were relationship momentum, fears about the loss of home and 

support, and acceptance of their Powerlessness. Relationship momentum 

describes respondents’ perception that, after a long marriage, women of their 

generation accepted an abusive situation and were mostly convinced that 

change was impossible. Some respondents noted that women of their ethnic 

background or age group were raised to be submissive. Immigrant women often 

expressed fear that they would be deported if they sought help or believed they 

would not qualify for services because of their immigrant status. Many 

respondents noted that women their age fear that if they distance themselves 

from their abuser they face the loss of home, economic support, and social 

stature. 

(7) Spirituality: This concept plays an important part in the lives of the women who 

participated in this study. In fact, there is a fairly robust literature that 

documents the importance of spirituality and faith among older people in 

general, although this has not been extensively explored in the DV literature. 

Women who had not experienced DA tended to indicate that counsel and help 

from religious leaders would be a “first stop” if they were inclined to talk with any 

outsider. However, this picture was somewhat different for women who had 

experienced DA. Although many stated that they had talked with clergy about 

their abusive relationships, for the most part, these women said that they had 

not received help that was particularly useful to them, if they had received any 

help at all. In some cases consultation with clergy created a significant barrier to 

leaving the relationship and possibly all help-seeking activity. This is consistent 

with Manetta and her colleagues’ (2003) finding that more battered women, 

compared to a non-battered group, believed church teaching contributed to DV, 

and Ulrich’s (1993) observation that religious traditions may play a role in BHS. 

(8) Hopelessness: This concept incorporates what respondents described as 

forces that tend to hold older women in abusive situations and effectively 

prevent them from seeking help, even when they are quite conscious of their 

abuse. Hopelessness seems to relate to the Powerlessness and Intimidation 

concepts. Many women felt that there was no help available. This took different 

forms, including help is not available for women their age, or help is not 

available for someone who only experiences emotional abuse. Some 

respondents believed there were simply no good options for older DA victims. 

Immigrant women felt they were presented with multiple barriers in accessing 

help. 

The Center on Aging of Florida International University 11 

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been published by the Department. Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s) 

and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.
Domestic Violence Against Older Women NIJ#2002-WG-BS-0100 Technical Report 

(9) Secrecy: This concept describes a woman’s reluctance to have anyone know 

about how she is treated by her intimate partner. Secrecy seemed to be 

particularly urgent with women who came from a familial culture of 

concealment. These respondents felt that disclosure would embarrass not just 

themselves but their families as well. Women who felt Self-Blame often felt an 

acute need for Secrecy. In combination, Self-Blame and a motivation to keep 

shameful, potentially embarrassing facts secret appear to create a powerful 

deterrent to help-seeking. 

(10) Concern for Abuser: This concept describes some respondents’ apparent 

ongoing emotional connection that makes punishment of the abuser 

unacceptable. Although this connection was more implied than explicit in our 

data, Griffing and her colleagues (2002) documented the same theme in their 

study of why DV survivors return to abusive relationships. They found that, 

compared to women leaving for the first time, participants with a history of past 

separations were significantly more likely to affirm continued emotional 

attachment to the abuser. Many DVAOW respondents felt that the abuser 

needed help (versus punishment). 

(11) Justice System Response: Statements made in virtually every group 

indicated that respondents clearly saw the JS as the logical or likely external 

resource for obtaining at least short-term and sometimes long-term assistance. 

Overall, four themes related to the JS were identified. Concern for Abuser 

(discussed above) and Justice System Response relate directly to BHS. Justice 

System Response in particular focuses on potential or actual negative 

consequences for older women in the JS when they experience DA. The other 

two themes, Expect Help from Justice System and Ways to Improve Justice 

System, reflect the belief that the JS can or does play a positive role in helping 

older women who experience DA. This apparent paradox is consistent with 

Dugan and colleagues’ (2003) finding that policies and services designed to 

assist DV victims seemed to have two possible and opposing effects – either 

they decrease the abuse or they have the unintended result of increasing it. 

Justice System Response emerged as one of the most significant 

systemic BHS in the DVAOW data. Respondents spoke about concepts such 

as fear of police brutality toward the victim; negative thoughts about jail as a 

punishment; perception that arrest, restraining orders or court interventions 

don’t help (and may make things worse); concern that police won’t understand 

the situation; fear that police will ridicule a DA victim; and a general sense 

among a few respondents that police officers are “bad”. For the most part 

respondents were acutely aware that help from the JS was likely to be 

temporary, either because it would only stop the immediate abuse, but not deal 

with underlying problems, or because they were afraid of consequences when a 

jailed abuser was released. 

4. Other Findings 

Importance of the Justice System. Another important finding from this study was 

that the preponderance of participants, both non-victims and victims, view the JS as 

The Center on Aging of Florida International University 12 

This document is a research report submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice. This report has not 

been published by the Department. Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s) 

and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.
Domestic Violence Against Older Women NIJ#2002-WG-BS-0100 Technical Report 

the correct and appropriate cluster of institutions to address incidents of DA. In some 

cases respondents even believed the JS should have a role in terms of prevention and 

dissemination of information about help options. 

Two positive themes about the JS emerged. One of these is that older women 

expect [and need] assistance from the JS when they experience DA. Many women 

commented on the importance of engaging the JS in cases of abuse. Some women 

felt that abusers should be punished, and that even police excesses might be justified, 

while others believed that the police or the courts should play a therapeutic role. Many 

felt that even if the ultimate consequences were unlikely to be beneficial, the JS was 

still the first place to turn, especially when a woman feels endangered. 

Notably, while the majority of participants agreed that emotional abuse was as 

bad, or worse, than physical abuse, most of the discussion on appropriate JS 

response focused on physical abuse incidents. Respondents were generally silent on 

the role of the JS when the “crime” was emotional abuse. In fact, there was a sense 

that emotional abuse, while terribly destructive, was not “criminal,” even among 

respondents who were comfortable with criminal sanctions for physical violence. 

Nevertheless, a few respondents did believe that emotional abuse was criminal, even 

if they were not clear about appropriate legal remedies. For example, one participant 

stated, “... a punch, a wound, is going to heal. One bleeds but the resentment stays 

there. But the psychological abuse terminates you. It creates many adverse thoughts. I 

imagine that in this country the psychological mistreatment, many women don't know 

it, but [it] is the worse crime. It is the worse because you cannot see it...In this 

country...many women hold on without knowing that it is a crime.” 

A second theme addressed ways the JS could be improved to better meet the 

needs of older women, including helping victims with JS processes, placing police and 

court personnel who specialize in DA in neighborhood centers, and helping immigrants 

(which was suggested only in the Hispanic groups). For the most part, respondents 

believed that the justice system should do a better job of making older women aware 

of service and assistance that is available to them. 

Abuse by Someone Other Than Spouse or Intimate Partner. Although the focus 

of our research was intimate partner violence against older women, a number of 

respondents described past or ongoing abuse from children and parents. In fact, 

responses to our initial probe about “everyday conflict” were as likely to describe 

conflict with children as with spouses or intimate partners. This theme is important 

because, from our analysis of the transcripts it often was not clear what distinctions, 

other than relationship of the perpetrator to the victim, could be made between 

descriptions of spousal or partner violence and violence by offspring or parents, 

indicating a need for new research to explain both differences and similarities. 

Accommodation and Survival. Many women felt that adapting to an abusive 

living situation was not so much a choice as it was a means of survival. In many cases 

the respondents relied on their families, and especially the abuser, for financial support 

as well as for emotional support. Many believed that the consequences of leaving the 

abuser might well alienate them from other members of their families, leaving them 

isolated and without resources. This is a familiar concept to DV researchers. For 

example, Grigsby and Hartman (1997) noted that behaviors often ascribed to 

“codependency” may in fact be adaptations that allowed women to survive 

The Center on Aging of Florida International University 13 

This document is a research report submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice. This report has not 

been published by the Department. Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s) 

and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.
Domestic Violence Against Older Women NIJ#2002-WG-BS-0100 Technical Report 

relationships with a violent partner. Increased understanding about how this concept 

interacts with issues related to help-seeking in older DV victims is greatly needed and 

should be explored in future research. 

The Impact of Age. Most of the DV studies cited throughout this report were 

conducted with relatively young samples. In many instances the [older] women in the 

DVAOW study described the same feelings and opinions about DV as the young 

women in these other studies. However, there were a few notable age-related 

differences. Secrecy, as described by DVAOW respondents, was a cultural and/or 

generational behavior. Repeatedly respondents observed that people of their 

generation did not air “dirty laundry”. Concern for Abuser also appears to be 

particularly strong with older women. This seemed to result partially from the length of 

time in the relationship, and partially from an awareness of the abusers advanced age 

and increasing need for assistance. Finally, Hopelessness seemed to have a strong 

age-related component which was expressed as a feeling that it might be too late, or if 

things had gone on “this long”, one might just as well continue to endure the abuse. 

The Impact of Ethnicity and Race. The methodology used in this study lends 

itself better to the identification of similarities between groups rather than differences, 

due in part, to the emphasis on the discovery of themes and patterns in the data. It is 

occasionally possible to identify differences between sub-groups; however, the 

prevalence of differences must be interpreted with caution, since the sample is both 

small and non-random. 

One difference was found between Hispanic and non-Hispanic women. 

Hispanic women often articulated that they believed there were no resources available 

to immigrant women, sometimes even after they became citizens. This may well relate 

to another finding, that Hispanic women appear to be less likely to view law 

enforcement or the courts as the appropriate place to seek help for problems related to 

domestic abuse and violence. This contrasted dramatically with non-Hispanic women, 

who tended to think of the courts and law enforcement as the primary source or “first 

line of defence” for dealing with problems of domestic violence, and sometimes even 

other forms of domestic abuse. 

Interestingly there were no major differences found between respondents with 

regard to their attitudes or feelings of dependence and powerlessness or with regard 

to their families and children. The literature is replete with suggestions that there are 

major differences in these areas, but they are not apparent in our findings. 

Hispanic and non-Hispanic Black women expressed more overt spirituality. 

They were more likely to find strength in God, and to seek help from the faith 

community. White non-Hispanic women expressed such sentiments with considerably 

less frequency. 

C. Implications for Criminal Justice 

This study addressed a very limited literature in the area of DV and older 

women by employing an ethnically and racially diverse older sample who gave voice to 

what it is like to experience DA as an older person. The role of the JS in responding to 

DA against older women was discussed in some detail in the focus group sessions. 

Notably, this occurred in the absence of any question about the JS, but rather in 

The Center on Aging of Florida International University 14 

This document is a research report submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice. This report has not 

been published by the Department. Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s) 

and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.
Domestic Violence Against Older Women NIJ#2002-WG-BS-0100 Technical Report 

response to a probe regarding what should happen when older women experience 

DA. Therefore, the frequent mention of the JS can be interpreted to reflect 

respondents’ independent identification of the JS as the most likely place to seek help. 

While most of the findings are consistent with Tjaden and Theonnes’ (2000) findings 

regarding reporting to the police (based on NVWS data), overall the DVAOW sample 

seemed much more positive about getting JS help, including assistance from police. 

Several other DVAOW findings have major implications for the JS. Most 

importantly, if the relationship between DA and BHS proposed in our model is 

confirmed in future research it would suggest an urgent need for updated training of JS 

professionals as well as consideration of modifications to laws, sentencing guidelines, 

and law enforcement policies and procedures. Additionally, although we gained many 

insights from DVAOW respondents, it would be important to conduct quantitative 

research regarding why older women don’t seek help from the JS, and further, to 

develop tools so that individual communities can fine-tune the JS response to DA 

based on the unique characteristics of their older citizens as well as the impact of state 

and local laws, policies, procedures and judicial culture. 

The Center on Aging of Florida International University 15 

This document is a research report submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice. This report has not 

been published by the Department. Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s) 

and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.
Domestic Violence Against Older Women NIJ#2002-WG-BS-0100 Technical Report 

II. BACKGROUND 

In 1999, The Center on Aging of Florida International University (COA) 

completed “Elder Abuse in the Context of Intra-family Violence”, a research study that 

included comparison of Florida’s elder abuse intervention models with national best 

practices. COA researchers concluded, as has been documented elsewhere in the 

literature, that community response systems for elder abuse and spousal abuse 

function independently and are based on different intervention philosophies (Dunlop, 

et al., 2000). Furthermore, it seemed likely that older women who experienced 

domestic violence were not being served by either system. 

After reviewing the literature on this phenomenon, i.e. domestic violence 

against older women and the community response to it, a study team from The COA 

and The School of Social Work (both of Florida International University) developed an 

exploratory qualitative research proposal in order to be able to better describe the 

experience of functionally independent older women who were victims of domestic 

violence (DV). In 2002 the National Institute of Justice awarded The COA funding to 

conduct the two-year study, entitled Domestic Violence Against Older Women 

(DVAOW). 

This report describes the now completed DVAOW project. 

A. Review of the Literature Cited in the Project Proposal 

Violence against women is a serious criminal and public safety problem with 

devastating consequences for women, families and society. Traditionally considered a 

private, family matter, the issues surrounding such violence are increasingly being 

recognized and researched (e.g., CDC, 2000; Neufeld, 1996; US-DHHS, 2000; USDOJ, 1996). Elder abuse (EA), which is generally considered a separate criminal and 

public safety concern (from domestic violence), also has received increasing research 

attention in recent years (e.g., AARP, 2000; ABA, 1998; Administration on Aging, 

2000; NEAIS, 1998; US-DOJ, 1999; Wolf, 2000.). However, we found that the 

crossroads of these two social problems, that is, DV against older women, had 

received only slight notice in DV or EA research (Aronson, et al.,1995; Brandl & 

Raymond, 1996; Harris, 1996; Phillips, 2000; Seaver, 1996; Vinton, et al., 1997; 

Vinton, 1991; Wolkenstein & Sterman, 1998). Moreover, little had been done to 

develop responsive community prevention and intervention programs for older women 

who experience DV (Dunlop, et al., 2000; Grunfeld, et al., 1996; Stiegel, et al., 2000; 

Vinton, 1999; Vladescu, et al., 1999; Wolf & Pillemer, 1997). As Seaver (1996) notes, 

“Battered older women are a silenced and invisible group. They are silenced by ageist 

assumptions about them as too resistant and hopeless to change or made invisible by 

the notion that very frail elders are the only victims of elder abuse. Women over 50, 

abused by partners..., are not accurately perceived and consequently not adequately 

helped by current domestic violence or elder abuse systems.” [p. 3] 

Some published articles, like the ones cited above, have acknowledged that 

many older women who experience DV are poorly served by the systems that target 

DV and EA, respectively, and that the attitudes and needs of this population are poorly 

understood. Limited case study reports focusing on older women (Aronson, et al., 

The Center on Aging of Florida International University 16 

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been published by the Department. Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s) 

and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.
Domestic Violence Against Older Women NIJ#2002-WG-BS-0100 Technical Report 

1995; Grunfeld, et al., 1996; Mitchell & Smyth, 1994; Wagner & Mondan, 1998; 

Wolkenstein & Sterman, 1998), and surveys or focus groups with victims and nonvictims of varying ages that explored attitudes about DV (Caralis & Musialowski, 1997; 

Nabi & Horner, 2001; Rodriguez, et al., 1998; Stalans & Lurigio, 1995) indicated a 

critical need to conduct qualitative research that would comprehensively investigate 

relationships among factors, gather in-depth information about older women's attitudes 

(both victims and non-victims), understandings, and behavior regarding DV and the 

community's response to it, and generate grounded theories that can guide 

development of interventions to increase help-seeking and improve safety for victims. 

EA and DV are separately defined by statute in every state. Most state systems 

for reporting incidents and responding to DV victims over age 65 (the age threshold 

varies) emphasize “protective” services to meet the needs of “abused, neglected or 

exploited” elders who, because of (presumed) physical and/or mental limitations, are 

thought to be unable to act in their own behalf. Based on the assumption of 

dependency, these systems were designed to mirror policies developed to protect 

children from familial abuse (Dunlop, et al., 2001; Wolf, 2000). In contrast, responses 

to spouse abuse evolved in the context of the civil rights and feminist movements and 

tend to focus on an empowerment model that promotes separation from the abuser, 

education/vocational training, employment, housing and childcare as the building 

blocks of safe and independent living. Today these systems share little ground, to the 

detriment of older DV victims. 

Prevalence. Based on the National Violence Against Women Survey (NVWS) 

data, Tjaden and Thoennes (1998) reported that approximately 1.5 million women are 

physically or sexually assaulted by an intimate partner in the United States each year. 

The 1998 Survey of Women’s Health (Collins, et al., 1999) found that 31% of women 

reported having experienced domestic violence by a spouse or boyfriend at some time 

during their lives. In a study of hospital emergency department patients in California 

and Pennsylvania, Dearwater and his colleagues (1998) reported an even higher rate, 

i.e., 36.9%. Abusers in each of these studies were spouses or other intimate partners. 

Pillemer and Finkelhor (1988) interviewed 2,020 persons age 65+ and reported 

a victimization rate of 3.2 per 100. Using essentially the same sample size in a study 

of five Canadian regions, Podnieks (1992) found that four elders per 100 experienced 

some form of abuse. Both of these studies reported that the majority of abusers were 

spouses/partners. More recently, the National Elder Abuse Incidence Study (NEAIS, 

1998) estimated that in 1996, 449,924 older adults were abused or neglected in 

domestic settings. Females were abused at a higher rate than males, even when 

controlling for their larger proportion in the elder population. Perpetrators were adult 

children or spouses in two-thirds of the incidents. 

Underreporting. Virtually all research on prevalence of domestic violence and 

elder abuse acknowledges that underreporting masks the true number of occurrences. 

The magnitude of underreporting and the reasons for it have been explored in the 

domestic violence and elder abuse literatures. The 1998 Survey of Women’s Health 

(Collins, et al., 1999) found that, while 75% of women who were exposed to domestic 

violence had discussed the incidents with a friend or relative, only 29% had discussed 

them with a physician or health care professional. Tjaden and Thoennes (2000) 

reported on findings from the NVWS that only 26.7% of women reported physical 

The Center on Aging of Florida International University 17 

This document is a research report submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice. This report has not 

been published by the Department. Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s) 

and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.
Domestic Violence Against Older Women NIJ#2002-WG-BS-0100 Technical Report 

assault by an intimate partner to the police. When asked to indicate all reasons why 

they did not report (more than one response was permitted), 99.7% of respondents 

said that the police couldn’t do anything, 61.3% said police would not believe them, 

34.8% wanted to protect the attacker, the relationship or children, and 32% did not 

want police or court involvement. 

Pillemer and Finkelhor (1988) estimated that only one case of elder abuse in 14 

comes to public attention. More recently the report Elder Abuse: Decade of Shame 

and Inaction (1990) speculated that one out of eight cases of elder abuse is reported. 

Most recently the NEAIS, which relied on data from local Adult Protective Services 

(APS) agencies and sentinel reports from local service providers, noted that only 

70,942 (16%) of the estimated actual abuse incidents were reported to and 

substantiated by APS units (NEAIS, 1998). The report acknowledges potential 

omission of many older (women) victims who would not be recognized or served under 

the APS umbrella and/or who are isolated and have limited or no contact with 

community organizations. 

Women’s Voices. Evidence strongly suggests the need for investigation of 

issues surrounding domestic violence against older women with older women 

themselves, a strategy that was employed quite successfully in earlier studies 

regarding DV with younger samples. Most studies of this problem recognize that they 

have not fully captured the problem and that a clinically significant portion of the abuse 

that occurs is never known. However, the reasons and mechanics of underreporting 

are not well understood. For example, The Gallup Organization found 34% of women 

age 65 years and older responded “yes” to the question “Do you personally know of 

any situation where a woman has been physically abused by her husband or 

boyfriend?” Other age groups responded “yes” much more frequently (58% for 18-29 

years; 61% for 30-49 years; 47% for 50-64 years) (Sourcebook of Criminal Justice 

Statistics, 1998, Table 3.39). Only 9% of respondents age 65 years and older said 

“yes” in response to the question “In most families, people get angry at each other for 

one reason or another. Thinking about your own situation, have you, yourself, ever 

been physically abused by your spouse or companion?” Again, other age groups 

responded “yes” more frequently (13% for 18-29 years; 17% for 30-49 years; 18% for 

50-64 years) (Sourcebook of Criminal Justice Statistics, 1998, Table 3.40). These 

results are notable because, despite relatively low rates of abuse in later years, older 

women would be expected to have the highest cumulative (lifetime) experience with 

domestic violence, which is what these two questions attempt to measure. 

Explanations for the different response patterns by age include the possibilities 

that older women are less comfortable or willing to talk about and/or report domestic 

violence, and that the phrasing of the survey queries did not reflect words an older 

woman would use to describe her own experiences with domestic violence. No one, 

other than older women themselves, can confirm such explanations or provide 

alternative ones. 

More information also is needed regarding how method of evidence collection 

influences a women’s willingness to seek help. Coker and Stasny (1995) looked at 

“gag” factors that impacted the NCVS estimates of rape and domestic violence and 

found that rape and domestic violence self-reports overall were affected by the 

medium of incident data-collection (domestic violence was reported 3.1 times less 

The Center on Aging of Florida International University 18 

This document is a research report submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice. This report has not 

been published by the Department. Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s) 

and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.
Domestic Violence Against Older Women NIJ#2002-WG-BS-0100 Technical Report 

frequently in telephone versus personal interviews) as well as by the presence of the 

spouse/intimate and others (non-abusers) at the time of the interview. In fact, domestic 

assault was reported 5.6 times less frequently when the spouse was present at the 

interview, and almost two times more frequently when a non-abusing other person was 

present. Notably, Coker and Stasny study did not stratify results by age of the victim, 

so no age-specific patterns were identified in their findings. 

Clearly the distinction between elder abuse and domestic violence against older 

women requires additional research. Examining distinctions as well as overlap 

between DV and EA is an essential step toward developing appropriate community 

responses that will increase help-seeking and improve effectiveness of safety planning 

and other interventions for older women who experience domestic violence. The 

DVAOW study was designed to explore the complex concerns surrounding domestic 

violence by encouraging older women to express the issues as they see them in their 

own words. 

B. Update to the Original Literature Review 

Over the three years since we prepared our project proposal, new literature 

regarding DV and EA has been published and much of it has some relevance to the 

DVAOW study. In this section we review recent literature regarding: (1) issues related 

to DV in general, (2) issues related to DV and EA in older persons, and (3) an 

increased interest in DV and EA as healthcare and public health issues. Recent 

research that is more directly relevant to the findings in the DVAOW study is discussed 

in Section IV. 

1. Issues Related to DV in General 

Ethics in DV Research. Ellsberg and Heise (2002) wrote a provocative article 

about ethics in domestic violence research. They applied each principle in The Council 

for International Organization of Medical Sciences’ International Guidelines for the 

Ethical Review of Epidemiological Studies3

 to population research on domestic 

violence in order to heighten awareness of how research design can exacerbate risks 

for victims who participate in DV studies. The authors conclude: “The inherent risks 

entailed in research can only be justified if the interview is used to provide information 

on available services and is a source of immediate referral when necessary, if highquality data are obtained, and if findings are used to raise awareness of, and improve 

services for, women who experience domestic violence”. [p. 1599] 

Disclosure. In June 2003, Yoshioka and colleagues published an article in the 

Journal of Family Violence describing quantitative research with a sample of 62 

women that compared social support profiles and disclosure of abuse across several 

ethnic populations. They found that older women and women who had been in the 

United States for a longer period of time were more likely to disclose to family 

members. Older women, those with more perceived social support, and those with 

3

 Council for International Organizataions of Medical Sciences (CIOMS). International guidelines for 

ethical review of epidemiological studies. Geneva: CIOMS, 1991. 

The Center on Aging of Florida International University 19 

This document is a research report submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice. This report has not 

been published by the Department. Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s) 

and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.
Domestic Violence Against Older Women NIJ#2002-WG-BS-0100 Technical Report 

less frequent episodes of violence were more likely to disclose to non-family members. 

Importantly, they also found that women who experience the most severe abuse are 

the least likely to disclose their situation to anyone. The authors note that South Asian 

women were more likely than were Hispanic, African American, and White, nonHispanic women to disclose to brothers and fathers who generally advised them to 

remain in the marriage. 

Context. Two recent articles discussed the importance of understanding 

the context in which domestic violence occurs. Wilkinson and Hamerschlag (2004) 

provide a detailed summary of earlier studies regarding situational domains that were 

studied and/or identified in prior research. They suggest that better understanding of 

individual episodes of domestic violence, as well as the heterogeneity of the contexts 

in which such episodes occur will result in more comprehensive and useful knowledge 

about the problem. 

The second article, written by Gondolf and Beeman (2003), compares women’s 

actual accounts of DV experiences with tactics-based outcomes (e.g., Straus’s 

Revised Conflict Tactics Scales; Straus, et al., 1996) in terms of usefulness in 

predicting risk of future violence. After coding accounts of 536 incidents of domestic 

violence from 299 women, the authors concluded that the components of violent 

incidents did not match up well to the tactics-based outcome categories. They note 

that the findings suggest that it may be useful to consider the accumulation of abuse 

and violence experience rather than discrete incidents to characterize outcomes, 

which is consistent with the observation that emotional abuse was described by many 

DVAOW participants as more difficult than physical battering. 

2. Issues Related to DV and EA in Older People 

Notably, an entire issue of Violence Against Women (vol.9 no.12, December 

2003) was devoted to the topic of domestic violence against older women. Because of 

the direct relevance to the DVAOW research, most of the articles published in this 

issue will be discussed in the context of DVAOW findings (see Section IV). 

Less specifically relevant to our study, but important in the context of both 

research and services for older women, were two articles directed toward social work 

educators and practitioners. Bergeron and Gray (2003) used case studies of support 

group participants to inform public discussion regarding the ethical dilemmas faced by 

social workers who conduct support groups for caregivers. The authors showed that 

participants in these groups may refer to actual abuse of a care recipient, possible 

abuse of a care recipient, or care recipient abuse of a caregiver. The ethical 

considerations regarding reporting versus not reporting disclosed situations of actual 

or possible abuse are discussed in order to help support group facilitators make this 

kind of complex decision. Importantly, the issues raised in this discussion could 

generalize to other types of support groups or one-on-one discussions where older or 

disabled adults describe at-risk relationships. 

Wilke and Vinton (2003) discussed the importance of including elder domestic 

violence in social work curricula. They noted that sexism and ageism affect how elder 

domestic violence is perceived and also impact the nature of intervention (or nonThe Center on Aging of Florida International University 20 

This document is a research report submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice. This report has not 

been published by the Department. Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s) 

and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.
Domestic Violence Against Older Women NIJ#2002-WG-BS-0100 Technical Report 

intervention). They stressed the importance of heightening awareness among social 

work students regarding the potential for bias. At the same time, drawing on general 

social work values, these authors encouraged an individualized approach to working 

with women in mid or later life who experience DA. Although targeting social workers 

in particular, the points made by the authors generalize to education in a number of 

fields including psychology, sociology, allied health, law enforcement, public policy and 

administration, and medicine. 

Mouton and his colleagues (2004) reported on the use of some new and some 

existing data to examine prevalence and incidence (over three years) of abuse among 

postmenopausal women. Their study focused on both physical and emotional abuse. 

At baseline, 11.1 percent of respondents reported exposure to abuse within the 

preceding 12 month period. Of these, 2.1 percent were exposed only to physical 

abuse, 89.1 percent were exposed only to emotional abuse, and 8.8 percent were 

exposed to both physical and emotional abuse. At three year follow-up 5 percent of 

women reported new abuse. This study, which concludes that postmenopausal 

women are exposed to abuse at similar rates to younger women, involves perhaps the 

largest sample of functionally independent older women ever used for a study about 

abuse in this population. Mouton and colleagues (2004) noted that most previous 

research, because of its focus on frail elders, was influenced by issues of caregiver 

abuse and neglect, and further, that the reported findings suggest a transition in abuse 

risk factors for women as they age. They concluded that risk factors for abuse against 

functionally independent women resemble risk factors identified in traditional domestic 

violence research, while increased vulnerability increases risk factors generally 

associated with caregiver abuse and neglect. 

3. Health Issues Regarding DV and EA 

In 1999, Mouton and colleagues published reports of a pilot study regarding 

associations between health and domestic violence in older women. This study 

documented that DV has a negative relationship to mental and physical health. In a 

more recent study Mouton (2003) concluded that domestic violence continues across 

the life span and again documented that exposure to abuse affects older women’s 

mental and physical health. Coker and colleagues (2002) documented that physical 

DV was associated with increased risk for current poor health, depressive symptoms, 

substance use, developing chronic disease or mental illness, and injury in a large 

study that included men and women up to age 65. 

Two articles by Campbell focus on health effects of domestic violence in the 

United States. In one article (2002) she reported on her review of research on mental 

and physical health consequences of DV and confirmed that well designed studies 

have consistently demonstrated increases in health problems as a result of DV, 

including injury, chronic pain, gastrointestinal and gynecological signs, sexuallytransmitted diseases (STDs), depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder. 

Furthermore, studies have shown that such effects continue even after abuse has 

ended. Campbell and colleagues (2002) collected primary data to document physical 

health consequences of DV and reported that these include an increase in 

gynecological, central nervous system, and stress-related problems as well as more 

The Center on Aging of Florida International University 21 

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been published by the Department. Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s) 

and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.
Domestic Violence Against Older Women NIJ#2002-WG-BS-0100 Technical Report 

headaches, back pain, STDs, vaginal bleeding, vaginal infections, pelvic pain, painful 

intercourse, urinary tract infections, appetite loss, abdominal pain, and digestive 

problems. They used these data to support their recommendation for routine universal 

screening of women who present in medical settings with these symptoms. 

In 2002 McNutt and her colleagues reported on a study of 557 women age 25-

44 in which they found a strong relationship between physical symptoms and risky 

health behavior and past interpersonal violence, childhood abuse, and economic 

hardship. Recent interpersonal violence showed the strongest relationship to these 

negative health outcomes. Mercy and colleagues (2003) looked at domestic violence 

and health in a global context by examining the cross-cultural literature on this 

relationship. This literature consistently showed that health and social consequences 

of domestic violence include not only death and injury, but serious physical, mental 

health, and developmental outcomes as well. The authors made an urgent plea for 

new focus on violence prevention. 

Two articles addressed the need for professionals in various health settings to 

take more assertive steps to identify and assist DV victims. Scales (2004) talked about 

this kind of role for nurses in perianesthesia settings, and Hamberger and colleagues 

(2004) described the need for healthcare provider training to identify and help DV 

victims. The Hamberger article took a detailed look at outcomes of successful training 

initiatives for healthcare professionals. 

Mandatory reporting of DV injuries to police has direct implications for how 

successful healthcare professionals may be in diagnosis and treatment of DV. 

Rodriguez, Sheldon, and Rao (2002) conducted telephone interviews with 358 female 

patients enrolled in a health network to examine women’s preferences regarding 

mandatory reporting by medical clinicians and further, to examine the influence of 

certain demographic factors on reporting preferences. They found broad support 

among abused women for healthcare professionals to report DV-related injuries to 

police, but only if the victim’s wishes about reporting can be considered. They 

identified no significant differences in reporting preferences by ethnicity, marital status, 

education, employment or the presence of children in the home. However, women who 

had been abused recently were more likely than women who had been abused in the 

more distant past, younger women were more likely than older women, and women 

whose primary language was English were more likely than Spanish speakers to 

oppose mandatory reporting. Smith and Winokur (2004) used logistic regression 

analysis to explore demographic, situational, and legal factors that impact battered 

women’s views about mandatory reporting. They found that the factor “willingness to 

seek medical care in communities with a mandatory reporting law” produced 

statistically significant differences in battered women’s views based on demographic, 

situational, and legal characteristics. As a result of these findings, and similar findings 

in other studies (e.g. Rodriguez, et al., 2002) Smith and Winokur (2004) recommended 

consideration of non-legal alternatives to assist domestic violence victims who are not 

ready for a response from law enforcement. 

The Center on Aging of Florida International University 22 

This document is a research report submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice. This report has not 

been published by the Department. Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s) 

and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.
Domestic Violence Against Older Women NIJ#2002-WG-BS-0100 Technical Report 

III. RESEARCH METHODS 

In the current study the researchers sought to increase knowledge and 

understanding regarding domestic violence against older women by allowing older 

women themselves to speak about how they define domestic violence; their views 

about causes, reporting, interventions and consequences for perpetrators; factors that 

deter or prevent help-seeking from public safety, law enforcement, the courts, social 

service and healthcare agencies; and elements of outreach and intervention strategies 

they see as acceptable and/or desirable. 

To accomplish this goal we employed focus groups of varying demographic 

compositions to explore relationships, to gather in-depth information about attitudes, 

understanding, and behavior, and to begin generating grounded theory that 

subsequent research will investigate, a methodology that has been used successfully 

in qualitative studies of younger DV victims as well as a number of other types of 

social problems. The process of collecting and analyzing the data, obtaining feedback 

on initial findings, developing a model for understanding domestic violence against 

older women from grounded theory suggested by the data, and conducting preliminary 

model testing through focus groups and expert critiques is described in this section. 

A. Data Collection 

1. Initial Focus Groups 

a. Focus Group Protocol. The focus group protocol was crafted to ensure that 

useful information was elicited while maintaining sensitivity to the emotions, privacy, 

and culture of the women involved. The researchers focused probes around basic 

topics intended to elicit data needed to answer the research questions. Topics 

included setting the stage, defining normal vs. aberrant, further exploration of the 

language of domestic violence, causes, telling someone, getting help, and 

consequences for perpetrators. In order to understand participants’ concept of 

unacceptable violence in intimate relationships, group discussions began with a probe 

asking participants to describe “normal” conflict in intimate relationships. Responses to 

this probe helped frame our understanding of how different women identify the 

threshold where conflict becomes abusive. 

A draft protocol was tested with a group of employees and students in the 

School of Social Work at Florida International University. The team analyzed a 

transcription of the audio-taped session to determine how effective the prompts were 

in eliciting responses to the research questions and to identify any aspect of the 

protocol that was uncomfortable, inappropriate, or seemed in any way awkward for the 

facilitator or the participants. Slight modifications were made and we confirmed that 

nominal group technique was not necessary since women opened up relatively easily 

and the moderator was able to control discussion flow effectively with a less structured 

approach. 

During facilitator training we had additional opportunities to test the protocol and 

some further modifications were made after the training. A copy of the final focus 

group protocol is included as Appendix A. 

The Center on Aging of Florida International University 23 

This document is a research report submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice. This report has not 

been published by the Department. Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s) 

and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.
Domestic Violence Against Older Women NIJ#2002-WG-BS-0100 Technical Report 

b. Initial Focus Group Sample. In order to maximize variation in the sample, four 

variables were selected as determinates of group composition: age, annual income, 

race/ethnicity, and previous identification as a victim, as shown in Table 1. We 

employed this maximum variation sampling approach to enhance capture and 

description of central themes or principal findings that cut across participant variation. 

By including in the sample individuals who might be expected to have had strikingly 

different experiences and attitudes it was possible to describe more thoroughly 

significant common patterns within that variation and to identify the full range of 

potential responses. 

Ideally this stratification plan would have resulted in the following groups: 

a) Three racial/ethnic groups selected to represent the largest sub-groups in the local 

population: Hispanic4

, Black non-Hispanic, and White non-Hispanic. Black nonHispanic and Hispanic populations are of particular interest because they are 

projected to grow dramatically over the next 30 years – 164 percent for AfricanAmericans and 342 percent for Hispanics (of all countries of origin) – compared to 

77 percent for White non-Hispanics (A Profile of Older Americans, 2003, p.3). They 

already represent a relatively high percentage of the local population in comparison 

to other communities (62 percent Hispanic, 11 percent Black non-Hispanic and 25 

percent White non-Hispanic in Miami-Dade County; compared to 5 percent 

Hispanic, 8 percent Black non-Hispanic, and 82 percent White non-Hispanic 

nationally (US Bureau of the Census, 2001). 

b) Three age cohorts selected to represent distinct generational groups: baby boomers 

(45-59), the currently un-served or under-served older population (60-74), and the 

population most likely to be frail and vulnerable, and therefore, to be currently 

served at least partially by the Adult Protective Services system (75+). 

c) Annual income selected to represent women with individual incomes above or 

below $14,856 (rounded to $15,000 to simplify screening), the level set by the 

Health Care Financing Administration for Qualifying Individuals (2) (Dual Eligible 

Income Limits Based on Percentage of Federal Poverty Level, 2000) as an 

approximation for poverty (versus above poverty). 

4

 Approximately 81% of Hispanics age 60+ living in Miami-Dade County are of Cuban descent (Condon, 

2001).Therefore it is likely that most older Hispanic women who experience domestic violence would 

likewise be of Cuban descent. The number of U.S.-born Hispanics in the target population (≥45 years 

old) is negligible. 

The Center on Aging of Florida International University 24 

This document is a research report submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice. This report has not 

been published by the Department. Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s) 

and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.
Domestic Violence Against Older Women NIJ#2002-WG-BS-0100 Technical Report 

Table 1: Initial sampling plan 

Black non-Hispanic 

Age 45-59, AI ≤ $14,856 

Black non-Hispanic 

Age 45-59, AI > $14,856 

1 

2 

White non-Hispanic 7 

Age 45-59, AI ≤ $14,856 

White non-Hispanic 8 

Age 45-59, AI > $14,856 

Hispanic 13 

Age 45-59, AI ≤ $14,856 

Hispanic 14 

Age 45-59, AI > $14,856 

19 

Victims 

Age 45-59 

Black non-Hispanic 

Age 60-74, AI ≤ $14,856 

Black non-Hispanic 

Age 60-74, AI > $14,856 

3 

4 

White non-Hispanic 9 

Age 60-74, AI ≤ $14,856 

White non-Hispanic 10 

Age 60-74, AI > $14,856 

Hispanic 15 

Age 60-74, AI ≤ $14,856 

Hispanic 16 

Age 60-74, AI > $14,856 

20 

Victims 

Age 60-74 

Black non-Hispanic 

Age 75+, AI ≤ $14,856 

Black non-Hispanic 

Age 75+, AI > $14,856 

5 

6 

White Non-Hispanic 11 

Age 75+, AI ≤ $14,856 

White Non-Hispanic 12 

Age 75+, AI > $14,856 

Hispanic 17 

Age 75+, AI ≤ $14,856 

Hispanic 18 

Age 75+, AI > $14,856 

21 

Victims 

Age 75+ 

The sample size was a product of the number of multi-factor cells in the 

research design, each of which represents a focus group, multiplied by the number of 

participants in each focus group (see Table 2). 

c. Subject Recruitment. Initial recruiting focused on women who to our 

knowledge had not previously identified themselves as domestic violence victims or 

survivors. Volunteers from this recruitment initiative participated in groups 1 through 

18. We then used criterion-related case sampling to assemble three focus groups with 

women previously identified themselves as domestic violence victims after age 45. 

Several strategies were used to recruit volunteer participants for the non-victim 

focus groups. The most successful recruitment approach for Hispanics of all ages, 

White non-Hispanics of all ages, and Black non-Hispanics in the youngest group was 

advertising in the community activity section of the primary local newspaper (i.e., The 

Miami Herald and El Nuevo Herald)

5

, which is published bi-weekly in this daily 

newspaper. Advertisements stated that we were interested in talking with women age 

45 and older about conflict in intimate relationships, and that each participant would 

receive $25.00 for time and travel reimbursement. The number of the project 

telephone line was published. Similar ads appeared in several weekly Spanish 

language newspapers and weekly newspapers serving the Black non-Hispanic 

communities in the county. Additionally, volunteer recruitment flyers were posted in 

common areas at senior activity centers and senior housing facilities. A third strategy, 

which produced very few volunteers, was to contact clergy in various denominations 

by mail and ask them to post enclosed flyers about the research where their 

congregants were likely to see them. 

For victim group subject recruitment we made personal contact with agencies in 

Miami-Dade County that provide services to domestic violence victims (of any age). 

These agencies were asked to post flyers regarding the research. Additionally a few 

agencies were willing to mail information about the project (along with a form indicating 

consent to be contacted) to their current and/or former clients in the target age range. 

Initially we described the topic for these groups as domestic violence against older 

 There was no cost to publish these notices. 

The Center on Aging of Florida International University 25 

5

This document is a research report submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice. This report has not 

been published by the Department. Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s) 

and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.
Domestic Violence Against Older Women NIJ#2002-WG-BS-0100 Technical Report 

women. Because of the very poor response, we rewrote the project description and 

flyers using the same neutral language – conflict in intimate relationships – we had 

used successfully for the non-victim group. This improved the victim recruitment 

somewhat. 

Women who called in to volunteer were screened by the project coordinator, 

first to determine that they were at least 45 years of age, and then to identify the other 

demographic markers we would need to determine to which group they would be 

assigned. Additionally, women were asked how they found out about the project so 

that we would have information about the effectiveness of the various recruitment 

strategies used. 

For the most part the recruitment strategies were successful. A total of 426 

women who met the age criteria volunteered to participate in the non-victim groups. 

However, none of these strategies was very successful in recruiting for the oldest 

groups, particularly for minority respondents. For this reason groups 5 and 6 (high and 

low income for Black non-Hispanic women age 75+), were combined as were groups 

17 and 18 (high and low income for Hispanic women age 75+). 

Victims proved relatively difficult to recruit, and as expected older victims were 

the most challenging to identify. In fact we had only 40 volunteers for the three victim 

groups. As a result these groups were reformulated (originally respondents were to be 

grouped based on age cohort) to make the best combinations of available participants. 

Group 19, which included victims between 45 and 59 years of age, was conducted 

twice – one time in English and one time in Spanish. All participants in the nonHispanic group 19 were Black. Group 20 and 21 were combined to include all Hispanic 

volunteer participants over age 60. Although there were enough White non-Hispanic 

women to form one small group, they lived all over the county and had conflicting 

schedules. We were unable to identify a time and place that would accommodate 

more than two of the nine White non-Hispanic victim volunteers. 

We believe, however, that the potential negative impact of this challenge (i.e., 

recruiting victims) on the data was mitigated by the fact that we encountered an 

unexpectedly high number of women who reported having suffered domestic violence 

and abuse in the 18 non-victim groups; approximately 25 percent of women in these 

groups reported having experienced domestic violence in their intimate partner 

relationships. An additional 6 percent alluded to, but did not confirm, prior DV. 

Therefore the recruiting challenge for the victim groups did not significantly 

compromise our ability to capture both non-victim and victim perspectives. 

Two focus groups, 1 and 13, were repeated due to problems with the 

moderator.6

 The total sample for the initial 21 focus groups was comprised of 134 

women between the ages of 45 and 85. 

Actual stratification of the study sample is shown in Table 2 below. 

6

 In both cases the original group and the “make up” group sessions were transcribed, coded and 

analyzed. Although there were concerns regarding facilitation of the original groups, we did not want to 

exclude relevant comments elicited through protocol-related queries. 

The Center on Aging of Florida International University 26 

This document is a research report submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice. This report has not 

been published by the Department. Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s) 

and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.
Domestic Violence Against Older Women NIJ#2002-WG-BS-0100 Technical Report 

Table 2: Stratification of the actual sample 

Group # Description # Participants 

1a Black non-Hispanic, 45-59, Inc < $15,000 9 

1b Black non-Hispanic, 45-59, Inc < $15,000 5 

2 Black non-Hispanic, 45-59, Inc > $15,000 5 

3 Black non-Hispanic, 60-74, Inc < $15,000 8 

4 Black non-Hispanic, 60-74, Inc > $15,000 6 

5/6 Black non-Hispanic, 75+, any income 7 

7 White non-Hispanic, 45-59, Inc < $15,000 6 

8 White non-Hispanic, 45-59, Inc > $15,000 6 

9 White non-Hispanic, 60-74, Inc < $15,000 9 

10 White non-Hispanic, 60-74, Inc > $15,000 11 

11 White non-Hispanic, 75+, Inc < $15,000 8 

12 White non-Hispanic, 75+, Inc > $15,000 8 

13a Hispanic, 45-59, Inc < $15,000 8 

13b Hispanic, 45-59, Inc < $15,000 5 

14 Hispanic, 45-59, Inc > $15,000 7 

15 Hispanic, 60-74, Inc < $15,000 4 

16 Hispanic, 60-74, Inc > $15,000 7 

17/18 Hispanic, 75+, any income 3 

19a Victim Hispanic, 45-59 5 

19b Victim Black non-Hispanic, 45-59 4 

20/21 Victim Hispanic, 60+ 3 

TOTAL 134 

d. Protection of Human Subjects and Informed Consent. The research protocol 

and informed consent forms were approved by Florida International University’s (FIU) 

Institutional Review Board for the Protection of Human Subjects. One notable feature 

of our approach to ensuring confidentiality was our decision to allow women to use any 

name they preferred. This option clearly added comfort, as at least several women in 

each group selected a pseudonym. Moreover, with the exception of group 5/67

, women 

in each session had not previously met, which some respondents indicated added 

greater comfort. In order to keep consistent records, participants were asked to use 

the same name or pseudonym on all consent forms they completed. To further support 

the sense of privacy and confidentiality, participant stipends were paid in cash so that 

we didn’t need to maintain any personally-identifying information on any respondent. 

Each participant had three forms to sign at the focus group session. Before the 

session began participants were asked to read and sign informed consent to 

participate in the focus group. Participants were encouraged to ask questions 

regarding anything they didn’t understand or feel comfortable with in the consent form. 

The tape recorders were not turned on and no session started until all questions were 

answered and all consent to participate forms had been signed. 

Two additional forms were introduced at the end of each focus group session. 

As previously noted, FIU allowed the researchers to provide cash stipends ($25) to 

participants. However, in order to account for all cash disbursed, each participant who 

accepted the stipend (one participant did not) had to sign a form indicating they had 

received the cash payment. Participants also were asked to sign a “consent to be 

 All participants in group 5/6 attended the same senior activity center. 

The Center on Aging of Florida International University 27 

7

This document is a research report submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice. This report has not 

been published by the Department. Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s) 

and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.
Domestic Violence Against Older Women NIJ#2002-WG-BS-0100 Technical Report 

contacted in the future” form if they were interested in participating in future phases of 

the research. Most participants signed this form. 

e. Focus Group Facilitator Selection and Training. Facilitators were members of 

the research team or experienced focus group facilitators recruited from the University 

and professional communities. The research team trained focus group facilitators in 

two formal sessions. The curriculum emphasized proper and consistent use of the 

protocol and teased out and addressed potential problems arising from the subject 

matter or personal bias. The training also addressed strategies for creating rapport 

and encouraging open participation in the groups in anticipation of some reluctance on 

the part of participants to candidly discuss the issues of domestic violence against 

older women, and included instructions for responding to women who identified 

themselves as victims needing assistance. In the second session each prospective 

facilitator was asked to play the role of facilitator with other facilitator trainees acting as 

participants. The researchers observed these role plays and several potential 

facilitators were eliminated from further consideration at this point, mainly because 

they used a therapeutic approach to facilitation and were unable to change to the 

approach needed for successful data collection. A copy of the facilitator training 

handbook is attached as Appendix B. 

 Researchers planned to conduct each focus group in the primary spoken 

language of the participants. Even Hispanics who have lived in the United States for a 

long period typically mix English with their Spanish, so it was important for Hispanic 

group facilitators to be bilingual, enabling participants to express themselves in 

whatever language they felt most comfortable. Initially we recruited facilitators who 

would approximately match focus group participants on age and race/ethnicity. 

However, after conducting two groups where facilitators who had been trained for the 

project nevertheless used leading or otherwise inappropriate probes, we decided that 

the most important—and difficult to meet—criterion for the facilitators was skill in terms 

of data-collection oriented group facilitation. 

In our initial plan, each focus group was to be attended by a facilitator and an 

assistant. However, because of the number of technical details, including payment and 

“catering” we decided that it would be best for a female team member and the bilingual 

project coordinator to attend all sessions, in addition to the facilitator. These members 

of the research team shared the assistant’s responsibilities, which included taking 

notes and operating the two audio recording devices that were used at each session. 

When the facilitator was a team member the project coordinator handled all of the 

assistant’s tasks. 

f. Initial Focus Group Data Collection. Focus groups were conducted in 

community facilities that were centrally located for each group and were available at 

no cost. Settings included senior centers, community centers, or other comfortable 

locations. Sessions were always conducted in a completely private area, in most 

cases an enclosed room with a door. Food and beverages were offered at each 

session, which helped ease the potential formality of the situation and researchers 

observed that participants relaxed as they began to eat and drink together. This 

allowed us to run a two-hour group, including one short break, without participants 

The Center on Aging of Florida International University 28 

This document is a research report submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice. This report has not 

been published by the Department. Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s) 

and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.
Domestic Violence Against Older Women NIJ#2002-WG-BS-0100 Technical Report 

becoming distracted, losing interest, or tiring. 

 Focus groups lasted between one-and-one-half and two-and-one-half hours. At 

the beginning of each session participants were informed that a member of the 

research team would provide short-term case management and service referrals if 

they were needed. Only one participant requested assistance following a group 

session. This woman, a stalking victim, already had obtained an order of protection. 

She chose not to pursue any counseling or other additional interventions (beyond the 

OOP). In a follow-up conversation approximately six months after her focus group 

participation she said she was still somewhat frightened and was planning to move as 

soon as another apartment in her “complex” became available, a solution that she 

believed would help her feel less threatened. She did not, however, feel that she could 

handle leaving her immediate neighborhood. 

At the conclusion of each session all participants were provided with packets of 

information about various resources available in the community to help women, 

including immigrant women, who experience domestic violence or elder abuse. The 

packets were prepared in Spanish for Hispanic groups. The information packet 

materials (in English) are included in Appendix C. 

With very few exceptions respondents participated enthusiastically in the focus 

groups. They were eager to share their ideas and personal stories with other focus 

group participants and the researchers, and quite a few commented on how much they 

enjoyed this type of forum. Many exchanged telephone numbers at the end of the 

sessions, indicating that they wanted to continue the dialog that began during the 

focus group. Additionally, although we were clear in describing data collection as the 

reason for the focus groups, many respondents commented that they experienced 

therapeutic benefits as a result of their participation. 

2. Workshop with Community Professionals 

Qualitative findings are considered more credible when they can be confirmed 

by “peer debriefers” (Byrne, 2001; Newman, 1998). To that end, in June 2004 we 

conducted a half-day meeting of community professionals regarding the issues 

surrounding domestic violence and older women as a forum for sharing tentative 

findings of the initial focus group data analysis. The 18 attendees included 

representatives from law enforcement, domestic violence shelters, Adult Protective 

Services, fire rescue, several community mental health and social service agencies, 

and the Miami-Dade County Domestic Violence Oversight Board. 

In addition to explaining the research project design, we presented concepts 

drawn from initial analysis of the focus group data to workshop participants. These 

included: 

a) In defining/describing domestic violence (DV), women in our study identified 

verbal/emotional abuse as equally or more damaging than physical violence, 

described fear as a predominant emotion, and a number of respondents 

described DV as potentially life-threatening. 

b) Focus group participants speculated on the causes of DV, which they often 

attributed to family history, communication problems between intimate 

partners, and abuser characteristics. Participants named aging-related causes 

The Center on Aging of Florida International University 29 

This document is a research report submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice. This report has not 

been published by the Department. Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s) 

and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.
Domestic Violence Against Older Women NIJ#2002-WG-BS-0100 Technical Report 

such as Alzheimer’s disease, as well as characteristics that also affect 

younger populations such as addiction, unemployment, or immigration status. 

c) The most frequently described desirable/effective interventions included 

counseling, therapy, talking with a close friend, spiritual coping, discussion 

groups, and calling 911 in life-threatening situations. 

d) Many participants talked about interventions and therapies as the most 

desirable/appropriate consequences for perpetrators, and legal sanctions or 

incarceration were generally considered desirable only “if all else fails”. 

e) Participants described pressure to protect family or keep family together, 

economic dependence, shame/embarrassment, submissiveness, fear, and 

ignorance of available help as BHS. Notably, while many participants believed 

that there was plenty of help available in the community other participants 

believed there were no community resources for older women who experience 

DV. 

 Workshop participants generally confirmed initial findings and offered valuable 

suggestions, which helped to guide subsequent analyses. Important comments made 

in the course of the discussion included: 

• There was a general perception among community providers that organized 

religion, particularly the more “orthodox” or fundamentalist, is not supportive of 

legal and community interventions for women who experience DV. This 

confirmed the descriptions by some participants of results of help-seeking from 

clergy. However, many participants did speak about spirituality, prayer, and 

belief in God as being useful to DV victims. 

• Community agencies confirmed that, in some cases, adult children dissuade a 

parent who experiences DV from leaving the relationships. 

• A representative from the Public Defender’s office noted that some victims are 

not happy with the manner in which they are “listened to” by intervention 

agencies and may therefore decide not to report again. This person also noted 

that state law now requires police to arrest an abuser, taking away the victim’s 

discretion regarding legal intervention. He said that while this criminalizes 

domestic violence, it may be problematic because of “social issues”, as has 

been documented in the DV literature. 

• Representatives from several police departments (there are 27 PDs in MiamiDade County) confirmed focus group participants’ assertion that having a 

spouse or partner arrested was upsetting and that what they really want is for 

the abuser to calm down. In other words, law enforcement intervention is a 

temporary, and sometimes questionable, solution for present violence. 

• One police officer noted, “It is hard for the police to deal with abusers, especially 

the very old ones. How do you deal with a 70-something year old man who is 

trying to hit you with a bat?” 

The Center on Aging of Florida International University 30 

This document is a research report submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice. This report has not 

been published by the Department. Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s) 

and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.
Domestic Violence Against Older Women NIJ#2002-WG-BS-0100 Technical Report 

• During a discussion of barriers to help-seeking, workshop participants confirmed 

focus group data results, i.e., that even when women know about available help, 

there are other barriers; the “messenger” and how the message is delivered may 

influence willingness to accept service based on perceptions and fears regarding 

loss of privacy or independence, or immigration status. 

B. Analysis of Focus Group Data 

Each focus group audio tape was transcribed verbatim into written text. 

Sessions conducted in Spanish were transcribed in Spanish and then translated into 

English by a bilingual translator, thus producing two sets of transcripts for each focus 

group conducted in Spanish. This allowed Dr. Beaulaurier and the project coordinator, 

both of whom are bilingual (English/Spanish), to monitor the quality of translations. 

There were obvious advantages to having all transcripts in a common language for 

coding. However, having access to transcripts in Spanish had the advantage of 

allowing the researchers easy retrieval of the idioms and expressions that Spanishspeaking respondents used. This will be of considerable use as we translate the 

instrument that we developed in English (see Appendix D) to Spanish for future 

research. 

As previously noted, the computer assisted qualitative data analysis software 

program ATLAS.ti8

 was used to organize and assist in the analysis of transcribed 

focus group data. Analysis proceeded in several stages. After some basic training in 

the use of ATLAS.ti, and discussion of coding parameters, including establishment of 

mutual exclusiveness and level of specificity necessary to code quotations in the text, 

researchers independently coded the same initial transcript. Once the first transcript 

had been coded, the team met to discuss and unify their coding strategies. When a 

strategy had been agreed upon, researchers coded the remaining transcripts 

independently. However, coded transcripts were reviewed periodically in order to 

assure that the researchers remained in agreement about the basic coding strategy 

and to eliminate redundant codes. During these periodic meetings emerging themes 

were reviewed. As a result, all codes used in subsequent analyses had been checked 

and agreed upon by multiple reviewers. 

The initial coding procedure was essentially the process of breaking the 

transcript down into a series of quotations and assigning one or more codes or 

concept labels to each quotation. Most codes named concepts that emerged from the 

focus groups (i.e., “open” codes) and, as often as possible, respondents’ own words 

were used (i.e., “in vivo” codes). A few codes were developed a priori from a review of 

the literature (i.e., “theoretical” or “axial” codes). Whether codes were developed a 

priori or from open coding, the procedure for assigning codes to quotations was 

virtually identical. 

8 For more information on ATLAS.ti, see the developer's internet homepage, http://www.atlasti.de/atlasneu.html. The relative 

advantages of this particular program for the proposed research are well described in Barry, CA (1998). "Choosing Qualitative 

Data Analysis Software: ATLAS.ti and NUDIST Compared." Sociological Rreview Online, 3(3). Available (Online) 

www.socresonline, org.uk/socresonline/3/3/4.html; and Drisko, JW (1998). “Using qualitative data analysis software.” 

Computers in Human Services, 15(1):1-19; and Weitzman, EA (1999). “Analyzing qualitative data with computer software.” 

Health Services Research, 34(5). 

The Center on Aging of Florida International University 31 

This document is a research report submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice. This report has not 

been published by the Department. Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s) 

and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.
Domestic Violence Against Older Women NIJ#2002-WG-BS-0100 Technical Report 

The next phase of analysis was to develop themes emerging from initial coding 

of the data. Themes regarding definitions and meanings of domestic violence, 

language used to describe it, causes, attitudes about reporting, preferences and 

appropriateness of potential intervention strategies, help-seeking behaviors, BHS, 

consequences for perpetrators, motivations for change, and other concepts were 

identified and explored using established qualitative procedures. 

One advantage to the use of ATLAS.ti is that it allowed us easy access to the 

quotations upon which codes, themes, networks and other constructs were built. This 

facilitated continuous context-based checks on meaning that respondents assigned to 

concepts, and helped to avoid reifying concepts not contextually grounded in 

respondent quotations. This became especially important as higher order concepts 

and themes emerged from initial coding, potentially distancing the language and 

meaning assigned to focus group participants’ words. 

In addition to aiding and organizing open and axial codes and providing flexible 

“memoing”, searching, viewing and note-taking techniques, ATLAS.ti contains 

powerful relationship-mapping capabilities. In the later phases of analysis this allowed 

us to explore linkages between codes, generate themes, map relationships and 

ultimately to produce a testable theory grounded in the response patterns of 

respondents. 

IV. FINDINGS 

Developing a theoretical foundation for future research has been an important 

goal of this project. The data were extremely rich and our analysis approach enabled 

us to identify a number of important issues and themes. Iterative analyses and 

discussion among team members led to development of the model described below in 

Section IV.A. In addition to the model, several other themes emerged in the analyses. 

These will be discussed in Section IV.B. 

A. Model Development 

The analysis protocol required that every concept reported as “grounded” in the 

study data needed to be present in the transcribed texts in the form of one or more 

“quotations”9

. The early stages of analysis essentially broke up transcripts into 

quotations that could be assigned codes10 or “memos”, i.e., comments about a 

quotation, code, primary document, etc. (Strauss, 1987; Corbin, 1990) written by the 

researchers. Our analysis focused primarily on the relationship between codes and 

quotations. 

The connection between transcripts (primary documents), quotations, codes, 

and memos are hierarchically arranged as shown in Figure 1. 

10

 A quotation is a selection of text to which one or more concept labels or “codes” can be assigned. 

 Also called “categories” by some authors (e.g., Corbin, 1990 #1744). 

The Center on Aging of Florida International University 32 

9

This document is a research report submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice. This report has not 

been published by the Department. Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s) 

and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.
Domestic Violence Against Older Women NIJ#2002-WG-BS-0100 Technical Report 

Figure 1: Relationship between objects in ATLAS.ti 

Transcript 

Quotations 

Code 

Memo or Comment 

C

From: Macgowan, M, 

and Beaulaurier, RL 

(2005). “Using 

qualitative data analysis 

software in teaching 

about group work 

practice.” Journal of 

Teaching in Social 

Work, 25(1/2).

 Corbin and 

Straus (1990) note 

that in qualitative 

grounded theory 

research “...Every 

concept brought 

into the study or discovered in the research process is at first considered provisional. 

Each concept earns its way into the theory by repeatedly being present in interviews, 

documents, and observations in one form or another - or by being significantly 

absent...” As described above, operationally, we accomplished this by creating codes 

that were attached to quotations. In order for codes to “earn” their way into the theory it 

was necessary for them to be attached to multiple quotations from multiple 

respondents. 

Lower order codes were linked directly to quotations. Higher order or more 

abstract codes are concepts that were linked to other, lower-order codes, rather than 

directly to quotations. The highest order codes were linked to other high level codes 

which were linked to lower order codes, which were linked to quotations, thus forming 

a theoretical network (see Figure 2 below). Therefore, all codes in the theoretical 

networks that emerged from this analysis are linked to respondent quotations either 

directly (low order codes) or indirectly (high order codes). Although the resulting model 

(see Figure 3) resembles a path diagram, it is important to note that the relationships 

are theoretical. The model was derived from the data but has not yet been tested 

using quantitative path modeling techniques. 

Figure 2: Theoretical network structure 

Quotations Lower Order Code A 

Higher Order Code Quotations Lower Order Code B X 

Quotations Lower Order Code C Highest Order 

Code Quotations Lower Order Code D 

Higher Order Code Quotations Lower Order Code E Z 

Quotations Lower Order Code F 

The Center on Aging of Florida International University 33 

This document is a research report submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice. This report has not 

been published by the Department. Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s) 

and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.
Domestic Violence Against Older Women NIJ#2002-WG-BS-0100 Technical Report 

1. Domestic Abuse and Help-Seeking Behavior 

Our model (see Figure 3 below) identifies concepts that describe the 

experience of Domestic Abuse (DA), Barriers to Help-Seeking (BHS), and possible 

relationships between these concepts. A few recent studies have examined factors 

associated with DV, which are generally consistent with Figure 3. For example, 

Schofield and colleagues (2002) looked at four domains used in the HwalekSengstock Elder Abuse Screening Test – vulnerability, dependence, dejection, and 

coercion – and confirmed relationships between indicators of these domains and elder 

abuse. Although DVAOW participants did not articulate the concept of vulnerability, the 

other three domains clearly relate to variables shown in Figure 3. Clements and 

colleagues (2004), who examined coping, perceived control, dysphoria, hopelessness, 

and self-esteem in a small sample of DV victims found that, after controlling for the 

effects of abuse severity and low self-esteem, self-blame uniquely contributed to 

dysphoria, and high expectations for control of future abuse uniquely contributed to 

hopelessness. Both Self-Blame and Hopelessness are strong concepts that emerged 

from the DVAOW data. 

Figure 3. Model of Domestic Abuse and Barriers to Help-Seeking 

Intimidation 

Isolation 

Self-Blame 

l

Spirituality 

Family for Abuser 

y 

Domestic Abuse Barriers to Help Seeking 

Power essnes 

Protecting Concern 

Secrecy 

Hopelessness 

Justice System 

Response 

Jealous

NOTE: The association between Spirituality and both DA and BHS is not clearly one-way and may, in 

fact, work both ways. This also applies to the relationships between Hopelessness and both Intimidation 

and Powerlessness, as well as between the Justice System Response and Concern for Abuser. 

The Center on Aging of Florida International University 34 

This document is a research report submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice. This report has not 

been published by the Department. Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s) 

and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.
Domestic Violence Against Older Women NIJ#2002-WG-BS-0100 Technical Report 

One of the most important findings of this study relates to understanding the 

relationship between the themes of Domestic Abuse and Barriers to Help-Seeking. 

The model shown in Figure 3 depicts our evolving understanding of these two 

constructs and their relationship to the 11 concepts that have emerged from analyses 

of the DVAOW data. Seven of the concepts identified in the data appear to be related 

to both Domestic Abuse and Barriers to Help-Seeking. The interrelationships between 

DA and characteristics of BHS aversion is a concept that had not been described 

previously in the literature on older DV victims and survivors. 

Several researchers have described aspects of the relationship between DA 

and BHS in reporting on small qualitative studies that focused on younger samples. 

For example, Belknap (1999) identified the resolution of moral conflict between needs 

of self and needs of others as contributing to the choices victims make regarding 

staying in or leaving an abusive relationship. She concluded, “Options chosen in the 

context of abuse are not freely made, but are coerced by the situation”. [p. 402] 

Lutenbacher, et al. (2003) described three themes – living an unnatural experience, 

the experience of telling, and the experience of leaving – each of which merges 

aspects of experiencing DA with BHS. 

To completely appreciate the significance of this finding in older victims it is 

essential to understand the concept of help-seeking as expressed by DVAOW 

respondents. Respondents who had been abused often said that abuse had occurred 

over the course of most of their adult lives. An important implication is that women who 

remain in such abusive relationships have found ways of accommodating and 

surviving the abuse, which is consistent with Grigsby and Hartman’s (1997) 

speculation that behaviors often ascribed to “codependency” may in fact be 

adaptations that allowed women to survive relationships with a violent partner. 

This characteristic of many DVAOW respondents stands in contrast with 

accepted DV intervention practices, which are geared primarily to eliminating abuse by 

removing victims from contact with their abusers. For the DVAOW women, helpseeking often was not synonymous with ending the violent relationship, but rather with 

minimizing and coping with the abusive behavior, an idea discussed by Dienemann 

and colleagues (2002). In a published report regarding their test of a DV survivor 

assessment tool, they stated that the goal of women who experience DV is seeking to 

end violence and conflict in the intimate partner relationship. They noted, however, 

that the current “standard” for DV intervention, usually thought to be permanent 

cessation of violence through leaving the relationship, may not be the ideal or 

appropriate solution, and in any case, does not necessarily stop the violence, ideas 

clearly expressed by DVAOW focus group participants. This finding also was noted in 

an earlier study (Campbell, et al. 1998) that examined women’s responses to battering 

in contextual and longitudinal research on a small sample of younger DV victims. 

These authors reported that “a process of achieving nonviolence was identified for 

most of the participants, although relationship status did not necessarily correspond to 

abuse status, and there was continued abuse after leaving the relationship.” [p.743] 

The Center on Aging of Florida International University 35 

This document is a research report submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice. This report has not 

been published by the Department. Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s) 

and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.
Domestic Violence Against Older Women NIJ#2002-WG-BS-0100 Technical Report 

2. Domestic Abuse 

One of the major findings from the DVAOW study is that both victim and nonvictim participants were largely in agreement that there is no clear line of demarcation 

between physical domestic violence and psychological, emotional, or verbal forms of 

abuse. The quotations below were selected from many examples of this assertion in 

DVAOW focus groups: 

But, you know, mental cruelty can hurt just as much, if not more so. You know, a bruise can heal. 

A physical bruise on the skin can heal, but emotional scars take a lot longer to heal. They’re 

inside, see. They’re not outside. It’s like when you have an operation, the stitches on the outside 

heal much faster than the stitches inside, because the inside stitches are not exposed to air, 

oxygen. Well, mental cruelty can be just as bad as physical violence. 

Domestic violence is like in a situation -- it’s not just physical. It’s emotional...it’s manipulation, it’s 

control, it’s criticism, pickiness, what they call crazy-making. It’s all of that. And I was in it, and I 

was never hit. (W) 

Moreover, while respondents clearly understood the distinction between 

physical and emotional abuse, they tended to insist that the emotional component 

was, if anything, worse. This notion was originally proposed by Walker (1979) who 

reported that battered women she had interviewed considered humiliation and verbal 

assaults to be more upsetting than physical violence, and then by Follingstad and 

colleagues (1990) who reported that 72 percent of physically abused women in their 

sample stated that emotional abuse by their partner had a more negative effect that 

physical violence. Henning and Klesges (2003) stated that the findings from their study 

of prevalence and correlates of psychological abuse in a sample of 3,370 courtinvolved, battered adult women demonstrated a need for continued evaluation of 

psychological abuse, independent of physical violence, to better understand its impact 

on victims. Both of these samples were composed of relatively younger women. 

DVAOW respondents made many related observations like the following two 

examples: 

Domestic violence that V11 just talked about, when it’s mental, I think it is worse than physical, 

because the mental part doesn’t go away. You can hide the physical part, or you can make 

excuses for the parts that show, but mentally, you can’t hide it. You can try going around laughing 

and being nice, but in your heart you’re breaking, you’re hurting, you’re screaming for somebody 

to help you. But you don’t know who to scream to, who to go to, nothing. (W) 

The psychological mistreatment is felt and it goes on destroying one from the inside. Many 

women don't know that this is worse than any other thing because it starts damaging a person's 

mind. Our entire life is damaged because of emotional violence. 

This is not to say that they found physical violence acceptable. Rather their 

comments often seemed to be related to how important and unrecognized they felt the 

problem of non-physical abuse was. For example: 

11 When a respondent’s name is mentioned, or when a quote captures more than one speaker, a bold 

initial is used to identify names, while retaining confidentiality. 

The Center on Aging of Florida International University 36 

This document is a research report submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice. This report has not 

been published by the Department. Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s) 

and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.
Domestic Violence Against Older Women NIJ#2002-WG-BS-0100 Technical Report 

Violence to me is more than – I mean, when you say violence, you mean physical abuse. There’s 

many people who’ve never had physical abuse, which I have never had. You could do a heck of a 

lot by talking, innuendo, all sorts of things. And it’s much worse than physical abuse...But they 

want to see bruises and the black eye and the teeth knocked out. (W) 

...Whoever is on the receiving end of the abuse is still being abused. So they’re being hurt. So 

there is no justification for hurting people in any regard, whether it’s verbally, whether it’s 

physically, emotionally, whatever the case... (B) 

Some respondents acknowledged their awareness that emotional abuse is often 

trivialized, even by women who experience such abuse. The following quote from one 

focus group participant, who eventually came to realize that her own spouse was 

verbally and mentally abusive to her, is particularly instructive: 

I volunteer at Switchboard of Miami, which is a crisis hotline...when I got calls from women that 

would say things like...‘my husband is being really mean and he’s doing this, but he’s not hitting 

me, you know’... it would be very hard to label it. But then they tell you it’s called domestic 

violence, so I would [look] under Safespace (a shelter) or under domestic violence counseling. 

And this was before I realized what mine was... And I used to always make fun of them. ‘He’s just 

being emotionally abusive or just doing this’. [Ha, ha] And all these years I kept working there 

thinking...something never felt right in my gut when I would get these phone calls... So imagine, I 

was even knowledgeable, but I didn’t know... 

A number of studies related to emotional abuse have been reported in recent 

years. Recently Kelly (2004) provided a detailed review of the research literature on 

the psychological abuse of women. She notes, particularly, that although the construct 

of psychological abuse of women is extremely complex, information throughout the 

literature has been relatively consistent. Our findings appear to confirm Kelly’s (2004) 

results in older women. 

In response to the beliefs expressed in this section and many times throughout 

the groups, in this report we use the term Domestic Abuse as an overarching 

description of the many abusive behaviors described by DVAOW participants. We 

selected the term Domestic Abuse at the suggestion of several respondents who 

articulated the importance of language that incorporated emotional as well as physical 

abuse, as shown in the quote below: 

Instead of saying domestic violence, which makes it sound like it has to be violent, which has to 

be physical or hitting, it should be called domestic abuse. Because it isn’t fair to people – if they 

say domestic violence hotline, and there’s a woman that is being emotionally abused and her 

husband is putting her down, he’s manipulating her, he’s controlling her, she’s afraid to come out 

of her room, but she’s physically not being hurt. She might think this isn’t for me, or mine’s not 

that bad, you know? I’m not being hit yet so it’s okay. (W) 

Domestic Abuse as it is used in this report encompasses verbal, emotional, 

psychological, physical, and sexual abuse12, violence, and battering. Although more 

research is needed, these concepts do not appear to represent a continuum, but 

rather different aspects of an overall behavior pattern, which may occur alone or in 

12 In their comments respondents implied that sexual abuse is part of domestic abuse. However while 

they discussed many instances (both personal and known to them) of emotional and physical abuse, 

there was relatively little overt discussion of sexual abuse. 

The Center on Aging of Florida International University 37 

This document is a research report submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice. This report has not 

been published by the Department. Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s) 

and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.
Domestic Violence Against Older Women NIJ#2002-WG-BS-0100 Technical Report 

various combinations. This contradicts some reported research findings that 

characterized the change from less physical to more physical abuse as a progressive, 

linear process. 

The concepts of physical versus emotional abuse currently have different 

implications for law enforcement and the judicial system, making the definition of DA 

proposed by DVAOW respondents challenging to adopt in the justice system (JS). 

Even sexual assault has a meaning outside the context of either type of abuse, and 

elder abuse introduces several additional statutory definitions and prescribed JS 

responses. This emphasizes the need for more dialogue and research to better 

integrate victim needs with JS structure. 

3. Barriers to Help-Seeking. This theme incorporates factors that influence 

help-seeking behavior among older women. The literature includes reports of many 

studies that confirm various aspects of our model (Figure 3) in terms of Barriers to 

Help-Seeking. For example, Dienemann and colleagues (2002) described concepts 

that fit nicely into our conceptualization of Isolation, Jealousy, Protecting Family, and 

Intimidation. Anderson and colleagues (2003), who explored their findings regarding 

why victims don’t leave an abusive relationship, or leave and then return, compare 

their findings with the four rings of Grigsby and Hartman’s Barriers Model, which 

includes most of our findings. Two studies addressed Barriers to Help-Seeking 

specifically in older women. Zink and colleagues (2003) organized reasons for 

remaining in abusive relationships into three categories: cohort effects, period effects 

and aging effects. All three of these concepts are consistent with our model. Also 

consistent with perceptions expressed by DVAOW respondents, Scott and her 

colleagues (2004) reported that barriers faced by all DA victims in obtaining help are 

multiplied in older age cohorts. 

Even as we describe Barriers to Help-Seeking it is important to note, as shown 

in the quotations below, that many women in the study felt that there should be a zerotolerance policy for abuse. This characterized both some of the women who had 

experienced domestic violence and those who had not. 

...the minute your husband puts his hands on you, you say: ‘What the hell are you doing? My 

father never did that.’ My ex-husband rearranged my face. I mean, this is not the nose I was 

born with. But he became my ex-husband in a New York minute. 

To me, if a man touches me, it is the last day of his life... 

...but you have to see that every day there is violence and terrible abuses. I can’t understand 

why women make excuses, well why? I don’t know how I could be in love with someone who 

hits me...because the first day he hit her, she grabs her bags and goodbye. 

4. Related Concepts. Eleven concepts emerged from the data, as depicted 

in Figure 3, and are described below. The first seven of these appear to be connected 

to both DA and BHS. The last four concepts seemed to relate more directly to BHS 

only. Additionally, although we do not believe there is any impact on the model, some 

concepts (Isolation, Jealousy, Intimidation) could be considered “abuser driven” while 

others (Protecting Family, Self-Blame, Powerlessness, Secrecy, Hopelessness, and 

The Center on Aging of Florida International University 38 

This document is a research report submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice. This report has not 

been published by the Department. Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s) 

and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.
Domestic Violence Against Older Women NIJ#2002-WG-BS-0100 Technical Report 

Concern for Abuser) are better described as “victim driven”. The Justice System 

Response concept does not appear to fit into either of these categories. 

(1) Isolation 

The concept of isolation is well-documented in the DV literature on younger 

women, and was clearly identified by DVAOW respondents as a significant concern in 

abusive relationships. Grigsby and Hartman (1997) noted that isolation often forces 

victims out of the workplace and even old friendships, and away from alternate 

sources of support. As a result, the relationship with her abuser may be the only 

significant relationship in a victim’s life. Rose and her colleagues (2000) noted that 

isolation was one factor that constrained women from seeking support. One difference 

in older women is that the Isolation tends to be longer term. The effect of long-term 

isolation may create more profound dependency (e.g. poor job skills, small or nonexistent social support network) for older women compared to younger women. 

In some cases Isolation seemed self-perpetuating. Respondents who felt they 

would otherwise be alone sometimes relied on their spouse for companionship. While 

most of the women who expressed this sentiment had not experienced domestic 

abuse, several had, including the woman who made the following statement who had, 

in fact, divorced her abusive spouse: 

So how is my life? Sometimes I feel in a hole. It is very sad for the lonely people...” (H) 

More often, however, Isolation appeared to result from the husband’s controlling 

behaviors. Respondents gave numerous examples of controlling behavior by the 

abuser, and many felt that abuse was a way that the abuser demonstrated his power 

and control over his spouse, as reflected in the following quotation from a DA survivor: 

What you just described is isolation and that is what an abuser does, he isolates you from other 

people. Part of it is fear and they want to control you, they want to have you all to themselves 

because they want to control everything that goes into your mind, so that other people don’t get 

ideas into your mind like freedom, like they are abusing you, so they isolate you to have that 

control. That is one of the signs, one of the characteristics of an abuser. (B) 

In some cases women described the act of escaping abuse or eliminating 

physical abuse as one of changing the power and control dynamics of the relationship: 

My husband went through a period of being very physically violent towards me and you know 

when he stopped?...when I told him I didn’t care if killed me, when I took the control away, 

when I took the satisfaction of hurting me - - I mean, it was just like immediately...He just quit 

being violent towards me. (W) 

While it is unclear whether older women perceived that Isolation actually 

caused abuse, respondents generally believed that it contributed to perpetuating the 

abuse once it occurred. 

The Center on Aging of Florida International University 39 

This document is a research report submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice. This report has not 

been published by the Department. Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s) 

and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.
Domestic Violence Against Older Women NIJ#2002-WG-BS-0100 Technical Report 

(2) Jealousy

Jealousy is a husband’s/partner’s (in these cases) rational or irrational fear that 

his wife/partner may have liaisons with one or more other men. One extreme example 

is articulated here: 

The jealousy was terrible! He told me I had to be by him 24-hours a day. Not even to go to the 

bathroom [alone]. I had to go with him. (H) 

Some women saw Jealousy as a provocation for abuse, as the next two 

quotations describe: 

What happened was that my husband had this jealous rage and he would label me. Then he 

would start giving me the facts on what I must have been doing when he was not around. 

...I did a lot of overtime, and he would say that I’d be out on the street with a man. But it wasn’t 

so. I was working to help myself for the safety of my home and my children and my 

grandchildren...But he was very abusive. (B) 

Jealousy seems to relate to some of the same controlling behaviors that lead to 

Isolation, as in the quotations above, and in the following one: 

He was a sick man. He was ill with jealousy. You will never be able to establish communication with 

him, because he controlled everything. He wanted to know every thought in your head. (H) 

(3) Intimidation 

This concept describes a woman’s sense that her spouse’s abusive behavior 

poses a persistent danger to herself and her family. Respondents indicated that the 

same controlling behaviors that tend to isolate women, also may intimidate them and 

coerce them into doing what the abuser wants them to do, as demonstrated in the 

following quotation: 

....the only thing I did on Sundays was visiting my father, and it had to be Sundays because he 

worked all week, so the punishment was not to let me see my mom and dad like if I was a small 

child...for any tiny thing. (H) 

The added component here is the woman’s fear for herself. This fear 

sometimes stemmed from a concrete history of physical or psychological harm at the 

hands of the abuser. For example: 

Well I do believe that when a person has a problem with her husband, or anyone else, she 

should stay quiet, quiet. Because if one keeps talking the situation can get worse...things get 

forced more...and then you come to see that what is called domestic violence comes from 

there. In order not to get there, well one should shut one’s mouth. 

First the abuser will try to avoid her, control her, not give her economic independence, nor 

social...he isolates her, and then isolated, without money...because he does it gradually, like 

the drops of water eroding a stone. The persons who come to fear, and then, having fear, in 

order not to stimulate any more violence, they keep quiet, start to tolerate, [and] then the abuser 

The Center on Aging of Florida International University 40 

This document is a research report submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice. This report has not 

been published by the Department. Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s) 

and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.
Domestic Violence Against Older Women NIJ#2002-WG-BS-0100 Technical Report 

abuses more. I think that that is one of the reasons why, like you said, they feel they are the 

guilty ones...On another day he gives her a good beating. Then she says, ‘poor thing, but he is 

so good, and I am guilty because he hit me’. (H) 

...Being older people they think, well what if I do tell, so what? And if the other knows that I am 

telling, then it will be worse... then why would they tell? They are going to be afraid. They’ll think 

it will be worse with the other person. If they have a place to go then it might be better to talk 

about it, but if they have no place to go and you have to stay there it is better to stay quiet and 

let them hit you and not make matters worse.” (H) 

...then caught in a situation where fear had me in a position that I was locked and couldn’t come 

out of it, get out of it, just simply because of fear. You know, when you’re caught in that 

situation, what they used to say, flee, fight or freeze. And for me it was those two things. I would 

freeze or just fail. The violence I experienced was horrific. This was mental abuse and physical 

abuse and I found myself where I was caught up where I just didn’t know what to do, where to 

go. (B) 

Intimidation may result from verbal threats and mental battering, which is 

consistent with respondents’ overall sense of the great power of emotional abuse. As 

one respondent indicated, threats can take many forms, and need not be physical to 

be effective: 

For me domestic violence does not mean that they hit you. Psychological mistreatment that is 

constantly given to us, threats of taking the children away, to deport you, for many things, or 

threats of not giving you any money, the jealousy...that is worse than violence. I lived that for 

five years...the constant threats. ‘I am not giving you the papers’, ‘I am going to deport you’, ‘I 

am not giving you more money’, ‘You cannot go out’. All those things. Psychological violence is 

worse than the physical one because it traumatizes you...(H) 

(4) Protecting Family

The family and their responsibility for children loomed large as concerns for 

most women in this study. A few of the younger respondents still had dependent 

children to care for, and some had grandchildren for whom they shared quasi-parental 

responsibilities. Even for women with adult children the relationship with their offspring 

was important. 

The dynamics of “protecting” appear to be quite complex as indicated by Figure 

4. Our findings support Belknap’s (1999) study results showing that women often 

consider various aspects of “responsibility” for abuser, and more often for their 

children, when making decisions about whether to stay in or leave an abusive 

relationship. Related conflicts that Belknap described included: protecting self and 

children versus feels of love and sympathy for the abuser; protecting self and children 

versus threatened loss of own relationship with children; protecting self versus 

preserving the relationship between father and child; and protecting self versus loss of 

relationship with family and friends. 

The Center on Aging of Florida International University 41 

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been published by the Department. Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s) 

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Domestic Violence Against Older Women NIJ#2002-WG-BS-0100 Technical Report 

Figure 4. Protecting Family 

l il

il i il

il

i il il

il il

break the cyc e~ ch d abuse~ 

ch dren protect ng ch dren teach 

f am y keep together 

##Protect ng Fam y Ch dren~ 

#f am y protect f rom abuse #f am y protect unit 

In some cases Protecting Family meant that the respondent felt responsible for 

making sure that the spouse did not harm other family members. Respondents felt that 

they could either calm the spouse, or intercede between the spouse and the 

vulnerable other, especially in cases of child abuse. 

The children would get hit. If the children didn’t like to eat something, they had to eat it no 

matter what...[one time] the little one got out of bed and was playing with her toys and she 

shouldn’t have been and he was pounding her on the back... and one night...the older one, she 

was pounding a hanger on the door and he told her to stop...she didn’t do it. So he took her 

head and banged her head against the wall. And I said: ‘I did not have children for you to make 

imbeciles out of them’. And he said: ‘I told you to shut up’. (W) 

As shown in the quotation below, some women felt that the most important 

aspect of “protecting” was to “break the cycle” of abuse; that is, to protect children from 

becoming abusers or DA victims in the future. 

...and it gets passed on because we are allowing it to be passed on...I still couldn’t stop contact 

with my son and my ex-husband... And my ex-husband had it in his family. His father was 

verbally abusive. Only verbally and emotionally abusive to his mother; he never hit her. So, it’s 

passed on. And now, it’s going to be passed on to my son. And I see it, and it’s horrible. (W) 

Everything was a disaster, and he transmitted that to our kids. That has been very difficult in the 

relations with my kids because it’s what kids get from their homes that influence [and] cause 

great harm on the kids even today. 

Other women felt that it was important to protect the family as a unit as opposed 

to protecting individual members, a finding that has not been addressed in the DV 

literature on older women. These women felt that it was important to shield the family 

unit through their silence about abuse. 

And children love their parents, whether they’re alcoholics. And wives love their husbands, 

whether or not they’re abusive. And, you know, we maybe should try to resolve the problems 

within the context of the family, and within the context of a marriage. (W) 

The Center on Aging of Florida International University 42 

This document is a research report submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice. This report has not 

been published by the Department. Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s) 

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Domestic Violence Against Older Women NIJ#2002-WG-BS-0100 Technical Report 

Some respondents emphasized that they were protecting their families or 

children by keeping the family intact, even in situations where the children were grown, 

and sometimes when children were supportive of a separation: 

So when my son was 15...once told me, “mom, why don’t you separate?” He told me because 

he had witnessed one of the many [situations]... And the truth, I did not know what to 

answer...[but] I had six children. The responsibility was to give them education...Why would I 

leave them without a mother and a father, when I could more or less give them the appearance 

of a nice home? Better something like that than nothing...They all suffered because they all 

grew up in an environment that was not what I wanted, hearing these things, seeing these 

things, in the end, it was not what I wanted for them, but I stayed because of that. (H-O) 

For some respondents, the idea that their children may have been at risk broke 

down BHS. However, for those who felt that they must protect the family unit at any 

cost, children actually kept them from seeking help, as indicated in the quote below: 

You know...Everybody is telling me to leave...I don’t know. Maybe [I don’t leave] because of my 

daughter. My daughter is like really attached to him. So maybe I’m just staying because of my 

daughter. (B) 

In response to this last quotation, however, another focus group participant 

made the following comment: 

Your child is being hurt every minute you stay with that man. And sooner or later, it’s going to do 

something to her mind. Because she needs to come up out of that environment. Get you 

another man. There’s more fishes in the seas; cast your net out further. You got to wake up. (B) 

Several respondents who had survived DA expressed similar concerns based 

on their own experience: 

Not only because of shame, although sometimes it is. In my case I tolerated 27 years of 

violence...because of the children, and that is an excuse. I say it from my own experience. It is 

an excuse because right now my kids are affected the most just because I did not take a 

decision early on. So, my advice is, for all women, don't put the children as a pretext. If you 

want healthy homes, healthy children, and a good future for them, keep them away from 

violence neither verbal nor physical, because violence is harmful in every way. 

(5) Self-Blame

This concept describes a woman’s belief that she is responsible for and/or 

deserves the abusive behavior perpetrated by her intimate partner. As with younger 

populations that have experienced domestic violence or abuse, DVAOW women 

commonly feel a great deal of Self-Blame, including shame, for the abuse that they 

suffer. 

Well, for me the hitting is strong but it is just hitting! But humiliation is the most sad and 

embarrassing... (H) 

These feelings seem to be tied to a woman’s conviction that a major part of her 

role as a woman is to make relationships in the family work. Family, upbringing, 

The Center on Aging of Florida International University 43 

This document is a research report submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice. This report has not 

been published by the Department. Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s) 

and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.
Domestic Violence Against Older Women NIJ#2002-WG-BS-0100 Technical Report 

religion, and respondents’ role as women were integral parts of these feelings, as 

shown in the following quotes: 

One gets a moral education at home where you have to respect the rules and all that. They 

educate us to believe that marriage is forever. One has to endure a lot of things, and when 

children come you don't want them to grow up without a father. 

I’ve probably always felt we were very strong women...And I stayed in there. Because I kept 

trying to fix everything too. And that’s the problem too. We try to fix. As women, we try to fix 

relationships; we try to fix this and that. 

It’s because I thought less of myself at that time to be placed in that situation because...I didn’t 

have a history in my family of abuse to that extent so for me to be in that situation I felt less - - I 

felt almost like I was the black sheep of the family to be in that situation. And most of the time I 

didn’t say anything. (B) 

Most of the time you’re too ashamed or embarrassed to talk about it. It depends on the person, 

but most of them are too ashamed or embarrassed. But sometimes they’ll talk to a very close 

friend or so. But a lot of times they just hold it in. (W) 

Many respondents seemed to think that these feelings are particularly intense in 

older women. In the words of one woman who had experienced violence in her 

relationship: 

...it’s hard for them to leave the relationship because they’ve invested so many years, and 

years of a serious investment. And you just don’t give up something like that and admit that you 

failed...You thought you were going to reform him in all these years and you didn’t. So giving 

up is a heavy thing. It can leave an older person feeling really bad about herself... 

There were many comments, particularly from women who had experienced 

violence, to the effect that abusers exploit and emphasize these feelings over a long 

period of time: 

I think that domestic violence, aside, between parentheses, is the aggression between the 

couple, the psychological subjugation that can come from either the man or the woman. They 

can put you down. "You cannot do anything right. You are not capable. You are not capable of 

doing that." They completely annihilate your personality as if you are not capable of thinking for 

yourself...They kill you psychologically. The psychological violence is worse than physical. It is 

total abuse. Then the time comes when the person gets mad. They get her crazy. By 

mistreating her psychologically the person gets emotionally sick [and thinks] I am not worth 

anything... 

The person who is the perpetrator in the situation knows that and knew that I would be silent 

about the abuse and that’s mostly why it continued. He knew I would never say. And that was 

because of pride, foolish pride, not to let anybody know that I was going through this. (B) 

Such feelings may have the effect of preventing women from seeking help, as 

described above, or predisposing a woman to abuse, a theme reflected in the 

quotation below: 

I think that they prefer to suffer in silence, than the shame of saying what is happening. 

Because the person that is being abused believes that it is their fault. (H) 

The Center on Aging of Florida International University 44 

This document is a research report submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice. This report has not 

been published by the Department. Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s) 

and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.
Domestic Violence Against Older Women NIJ#2002-WG-BS-0100 Technical Report 

Even at times when women did seek help, Self-Blame and shame were often 

dominant emotions, as expressed in the following quote: 

I used the crisis hotline for that reason, whenever there’s some kind of physical abuse and I 

didn’t know what to do. And I went to a friend’s house, because I couldn’t call them there and 

talk about it. I knew I needed to do something. I never told my friends. 

(6) Powerlessness 

This concept describes a woman’s acceptance of the perpetrator’s total control, 

which is perpetuated by ongoing abusive behavior, and includes feelings of 

entrapment and dependency. Many women expressed feelings of Powerlessness, and 

said that they were staying, or had stayed in abusive relationships in part because 

they felt that they had little choice. The principal concepts that respondents indicated 

as contributing to these feelings were relationship momentum, fears about the loss of 

home and support, and acceptance of their Powerlessness. 

Relationship momentum is the simplest of these concepts. Many respondents 

believe that, after a long marriage, women of their generation tended to accept the 

situation and were mostly convinced that change was impossible, as these quotes 

indicate. 

I believe in minor adjustments in life. When you reach a certain age, people don’t really make 

major change, they make minor adjustments. 

I have a next door neighbor who was married for a long, long time. And every morning we heard 

such verbal abuse. He used all language, he called her prostitute, and it was terrible just even 

to listen to it. And I said: ‘Ruth, why do you stay with him? Why do you take it?’ And she said: 

‘Well, we’ve been married for a long time’. 

There was a joke about a couple: one was 105 and she was 95, and they after 70 years of 

marriage decided to separate. When they were asked why they waited so long to separate, they 

said they were waiting for the children to die. [Laughter]...Well in some ways that joke, 

demonstrates that in older generations it was not they separate because of domestic abuse, 

disobedience...but it was like they didn’t have the concept of separation. It is really rare to hear 

of an older couple separate, very rare, because it is not as if, well, you spend years 50 years 

together well, since we are here we pass the next 30 years too. But I think that there must exist, 

not that I know of, but violence, fights and arguments must exist, but it must be harder to make 

the decision being form another generation that wasn’t raised with that option. Well if things 

really aren’t good then let each one go their [own] way. 

But, you know, if somebody is in their 70s or 80s and has had this relationship for 50 something 

years, I don’t think there’s much chance for a lot of change, to be realistic about it. 

Some respondents noted that women, especially of their generation, and 

particularly if they were immigrants, were raised to be submissive, like in the following 

example: 

Well I came from a European family; my mother and father were Russian...So my mother was 

extremely submissive. And when I got married, I married to take care of someone because it 

The Center on Aging of Florida International University 45 

This document is a research report submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice. This report has not 

been published by the Department. Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s) 

and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.
Domestic Violence Against Older Women NIJ#2002-WG-BS-0100 Technical Report 

was something that I had seen my mother do. So I married the same type of husband that she 

had. And I would be very submissive. (W) 

Some immigrant women, as an earlier quote indicated, may fear that they will 

be deported, and either do not understand the system, or because of their immigrant 

status worry that they will not qualify for services. 

Because of all the circumstances, that imply the adaptation to a totally different world, from the 

sky to the earth, of what we bring. Then, the doors will be closed, because an immigrant is not 

permitted to have access to those resources. 

...here the immigrants have nowhere to go...and I think that the people that come from other 

countries, and we are immigrants, are faced with a totally different culture, that in a blink of an 

eye you say, ‘but what is this...where am I’? 

Many respondents noted that women their age fear that if they distance 

themselves from their abuser they face the loss of home and support. In some ways 

this is straightforward. Many older women live in families where the male is the primary 

earner. A woman may feel that she lacks the financial resources to provide for herself 

and her children without the abuser. Comments of this sort, including the example 

below, were very common. Again, this situation is further complicated by immigration 

status. 

And, in general, due to a lack of work, because they isolate you from work and everything in 

general, one says, ‘What am I going to do?’ I have kids. I had no job or visa (papeles). And then 

you start meeting people and they want to help but up to a certain extent because they don't 

want to get involved...[I needed] a place like this [referring to the focus group] where one knows 

[they are] going to get help. I went to a place where they helped me a lot, but I arrived into a 

situation in which I did not have the money to pay my lawyer. I have been struggling for four 

years [to become] legal in this country. That part is very hard. 

Quite a few respondents worried that if they were to seek help for domestic 

abuse they would lose the support of their family. Some worried that their children 

would not accept the “truth” about their fathers, and that this would put that very critical 

relationship in jeopardy. Others worried that their family would subject them to 

recrimination, as reflected in the following quotations: 

He was so nice - - as a matter of fact, my mother, when she came to rescue me, she looked at 

me and she said, ‘why are you such a nag’? The same woman who said she loved me. Black 

eye, bleeding - - and she said, ‘why aren’t you a good wife to him? He’s such a nice man’. 

My mother adored him. She knew how obnoxious [what a fool] he was...When I was still a 

newlywed... I told her, ‘I am ready for a divorce’ and she said: ‘What? Are you crazy? After a 

hotel wedding that cost me an arm and a leg?!’ I said ‘but his jealousy is intolerable’. Jealousy 

was making him crazy. And she said, ‘but you married him knowing he was like that...but you 

said he would change, but men do not change, so deal with it’. My mother was the type of 

woman who did not believe in divorce. She did not want a divorced daughter...But what I want 

to say is that my mother always gave me good advice. (H) 

Others felt that family (and others) had been of little help: 

The Center on Aging of Florida International University 46 

This document is a research report submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice. This report has not 

been published by the Department. Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s) 

and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.
Domestic Violence Against Older Women NIJ#2002-WG-BS-0100 Technical Report 

I went to doctors, I got tranquilizers, and I went to a priest—I got advice to pray more. When I 

went to friends, they said, ‘oh, your husband is so wonderful’. When I went [to my] in-laws, ‘well 

he gives you the check!’... When I went to my family, it was like, ‘why don’t you get a job?’ And 

so nobody believes you. (W) 

Unlike Scott and colleagues’ (2004) finding that adult children were the most 

likely referral source for older women, there were very few cases where respondents, 

particularly those who had been physically abused, indicated that talking to family had 

lead to feeling that they would be supported. Most often DVAOW respondents said 

they were subjected to rebuke for breaking cultural or familial taboos about “airing dirty 

laundry”. This is consistent with other research. For example, Rose and her colleagues 

(2000) found that some women in their sample felt pushed into isolation by a negative 

response from family and friends rather than feeling supported. 

(7) Spirituality 

Spirituality plays a very important part in the lives of the women who 

participated in this study. There were frequent uses of the language of religion and 

spirituality, even when overtly secular topics were being discussed. 

Probably the clearest finding about Spirituality is that women who had not 

experienced DA expressed an inclination to seek counsel and help from religious 

leaders. Comments to this effect were given by women of Jewish, Catholic, and 

Protestant faiths. There were many strong indications that this would be a “first stop” 

for women who began to experience domestic violence if they were inclined to talk 

with any outsider. 

The picture was somewhat different for women who had experienced domestic 

violence. Many said that they had talked with clergy about their abusive relationship. 

However, for the most part, these women indicated that they had not received help 

that was particularly useful to them from members of the clergy, as the following 

quotations indicate: 

I know as a young person, I talked to my pastor. He helped, but he really wasn’t able to assist 

me with any resolution to the problem. (H) 

I think we got the priest to get help with these things, but the priests are not very helpful. They 

should be. (W) 

In some cases, as reflected in the quotations below, consultation with clergy 

created a significant barrier to leaving the relationship, if not to all help-seeking 

activity.This is consistent with the findings of Lutenbacher and colleagues (2003), and 

Manetta and colleagues (2003). 

One thing that sometimes happens with the priest or ministers will say: ‘that’s your burden to 

bear’. And very often people get turned back away from their - - ‘sister, you’ve just got to pray 

on it. We’re going to pray on it that God is going to change his heart’. Okay. In the mean time, 

they can beat the hell out of you...I worked for seven years with battered woman, and I believe, 

and I know that many of the women have been told that God has given you this. ‘This is your 

trial, your test and you, but you have to stay with your man. You made those vows and you 

need to stay there’. In the mean time, sister is getting beat up. (B) 

The Center on Aging of Florida International University 47 

This document is a research report submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice. This report has not 

been published by the Department. Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s) 

and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.
Domestic Violence Against Older Women NIJ#2002-WG-BS-0100 Technical Report 

...but not even the church will support you in a situation like the one we have lived because the 

church, according to the word of God... if you talk to the pastor he will tell you that the Bible only 

accepts one cause for divorce and that is adultery. If my problem is not with adultery, what 

should I do? Stay married my whole life? (H) 

In most cases women did not see speaking with clergy as antithetical to seeking 

other sorts of help. Rather, they often linked the two. It was common for respondents 

to connect more formal counseling services with pastoral counseling, as in the 

following statement by a respondent who had experienced DA: 

I feel that psychological help for someone - - you can speak to them, someone you can talk to 

and give you directions. I think something - - if you should come to be abused - - someone, if 

you need to talk to a specialist, you can talk to, to give you points on which way - - like I said, 

someone, the pastor, who can point you - - give you directions to go. 

It is not completely clear how or why women linked psychological counseling 

services with pastoral counseling. In general these quotations were in response to a 

question from the focus group leader about where women in this age group would be 

comfortable going for assistance. It is possible that these were simply the two most 

common “brainstormed” answers. However, their frequent concurrence is interesting 

and may indicate a hope or belief that clergy will be able to make a referral to 

professional counselors, as the quotation above indicates. 

Independent of clergy, faith itself seems important to many women both as a 

mechanism of change and as a coping mechanism. For example, one respondent 

commented: 

...My husband [and I] would see it like this. Marriage is a sacred and profound thing. It is not like 

drinking a glass of water. It is not like if I don't like it I will throw it away. No. No. No. Marriage is, 

first you are making a promise with God and second with your partner. So, based on that, from 

the first day we reached an agreement...I don't know how this is going to work, but it has to 

work. 

In the case of the quote above, faith was helpful in coping with the stresses of 

remaining in a difficult marriage, but the same sort of faith seems to be as helpful to 

women who have gotten out of a difficult marriage, as described in the following quote 

by a DA survivor: 

And, in general, due to a lack of work, because they isolate you from work and everything in 

general, one says, "What am I going to do?” I have kids. I had no job or visa (papeles)... You 

have to hold on to God... 

There were also a number of women who believed that their faith had changed 

or transformed them and given them the power to act in difficult situations, as 

illustrated in the quotations below: 

I have faith in the power of God - - with God, all things are possible. But, again, practically, you 

need to be concerned and take the step - - there are steps you take, and you need to get on 

those steps of doing and not just talking about it. But doing what needs to be done for the 

change, because it’s not easy. 

The Center on Aging of Florida International University 48 

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been published by the Department. Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s) 

and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.
Domestic Violence Against Older Women NIJ#2002-WG-BS-0100 Technical Report 

Once I received Jesus, God said: I removed myself from that man. I never went back to him. 

And that’s how I got out. Never went back once...Thank God. 

Although it has not been extensively explored in the literature on domestic 

violence, Spirituality appears to be a particularly important factor for older women in 

terms of coping with and surviving DA as well as in determining whether to stay in or 

leave the relationship. This is consistent with a fairly robust literature that documents 

the importance of spirituality and faith among older people in general. 

(8) Hopelessness 

This concept incorporates what respondents described as forces that tend to 

hold older women in abusive situations and effectively prevent them from seeking 

help, even when they are quite conscious of their abuse. Hopelessness seemed to be 

interrelated with the Intimidation and Powerlessness concepts. We believe several 

additional concepts cluster under this factor, as discussed in this section. For example, 

many women felt that there was no help available. This took several different forms. 

The quotations below show one of these, i.e., that some respondents don’t think help 

is available for women their age: 

But when you call them and you say: I’m a senior or an elderly person, I would like for us to 

come in for some information the machine goes: please leave your name and telephone 

number and we’ll get back to you. They never get back to you, eh. Now there are, I agree with 

you, for resources, yes. [For] the young ladies... 

I also think that the ladies of my age or older stay in a bad relationship. And some of them, 

maybe it’s not the companionship, some of them do that also because there’s no agencies that 

at our age we could go, talk to them and we tell them our problems. And I’m so embarrassed, 

really, let’s say to go to our children or to our friends...We don’t really have places that we could 

go.... a place that we older ladies can go and speak to people who can help us out mentally like 

hey, you don’t have to stay with a man if he’s abusing you verbally or physically, because of his 

money. ...You know, things like that...resources. 

As shown in the next quotation, some women did not think that help was 

available for someone who “only” experienced emotional abuse. 

P: There are some things you can look up, and places in the telephone directory that will tell 

you. I have noticed nowadays they...sometimes ...definitely at my church...and FIU, in the 

bathrooms inside doors when you sit down— 

F: But that is for battered women. 

According to some respondents there are not any good options for older 

domestic abuse victims, as described in the following quote: 

I’ve looked at so many situations, but calling the police, what would the police do? Or if you call 

in a neighbor, it indicates that they’re interested and so it calms down the situation. Or do like I 

did once, I called in my brother, and he came thousands of miles on an airplane to help me. 

What can you do, you know? It’s rough. I mean, the ideal thing is if you’ve got money, then you 

can go to a psychologist, psychiatrist or whatever - - and even that isn’t always satisfactory. 

The Center on Aging of Florida International University 49 

This document is a research report submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice. This report has not 

been published by the Department. Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s) 

and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.
Domestic Violence Against Older Women NIJ#2002-WG-BS-0100 Technical Report 

Immigrant women often felt they were presented with multiple barriers in 

accessing help, creating the sense of helplessness described below: 

Then, the doors will be closed, because an immigrant is not permitted to have access to those 

resources. Now, if you are a resident ... being resident, then ... the poor [person] does not have 

a defined status. Then, one has to become a citizen, a second-class citizen. 

While there were respondents, like the ones quoted above, who believed that 

women their age often felt a sense of Hopelessness, there were numerous examples 

of women who felt empowered, including some like those quoted below who came to 

this view late in life after having lived for a long time in a violent relationship. 

This is what I am speaking of - - in my relationship there was abuse and I just got fed up with 

it...so on that Friday evening, I just, you know, sitting around and talk to myself and said it’s 

time for a change. And I made the change and I never looked back. I never looked back one 

day ...I was glad to get out of the relationship. 

And, frankly, the best thing he ever did for me was he walked out the door, and I never missed 

him because I became me again and able to express myself and do what I wanted. It took a 

while, but I found myself again, and I think I enjoy my life much better. 

But I went on to get my divorce, and I never felt so much better. Like 20, 30 pounds came up off 

of me. Now [I could do what] I wanted to, I didn’t have to look over my shoulder, I wasn’t afraid 

to speak to people, afraid of him coming up talking about who the so and so is this, and to 

embarrass you and stuff like that. I felt so much better. 

(9) Secrecy

This concept describes a woman’s reluctance to have anyone know about how 

she is treated by her intimate partner. Many respondents remarked that domestic 

abuse was the sort of thing that people did not talk about, and described some 

complex reasons for this. For example: 

Not only because of shame, although sometimes it is. In my case I tolerated 27 years of 

violence. First, because of my family. Second, because of what the people are going to say 

about me. Third, because I did not want anyone to lecture me on what was happening. Fourth 

because of the children... 

There were numerous references to the need to keep abuse secret, including 

the following: 

When I was a teenager, I was aware of a few violent moments between my mother and my 

father. I never spoke to them about that....I wouldn’t, you know, have a discussion...There were 

people that say that my father hit my mother or something like that. (W) 

Like this friend of mine, she is so ashamed and so embarrassed. And I said: You didn’t do 

anything wrong. And I try to bring up the situation, Hilary Clinton, and [Prince] Charles’ wife. I 

said: ‘You can’t get more public than that’...but she doesn’t care. (W) 

The Center on Aging of Florida International University 50 

This document is a research report submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice. This report has not 

been published by the Department. Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s) 

and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.
Domestic Violence Against Older Women NIJ#2002-WG-BS-0100 Technical Report 

Personally, my friends and family do not talk about it. I’m sure that they heard somewhere - - I 

have one friend that I know it occurs with, but I know she does not talk about it. (W) 

I think that many women like me tolerate many things because they don't want to talk about it, 

or they just don't know better. (H) 

Indeed, one respondent went to extraordinary lengths to keep her “secret” while 

still seeking help: 

I have two psychiatrists. One doesn’t know about the other one and the other one doesn’t know 

about the other one. But I need both because use one psychiatrist for one thing and the other 

psychiatrist for another thing...I have told my female psychiatrist everything. She knows more or 

less all about my life...and my other psychiatrist, he’s strictly for medication. He’s not the kind of 

gentleman that likes to talk a lot. 

The motivation to keep things secret seems to be particularly powerful when 

women felt that it would embarrass not just themselves but their families as well. 

They never talked about it other than that it was something that was supposed to be kept within 

the family and nobody should tell anybody outside the family. 

Well, I went and talked to a cousin of mine about the situation with these relatives, and 

eventually she went and told. And, I mean, they were furious with her. They were absolutely, 

positively furious with her. And I think that’s some of the things that happen, because they felt 

they’d been confronted. But it tormented me to hear, as somebody who had to stand by and 

watch something like this happen. And, I mean, it was a horrible thing for a teenager to see 

something like that. And I resented her being angry with me for telling my cousin. I had to have 

somebody to talk about it. 

Secrecy seemed to be particularly urgent with women who come from a familial 

culture of concealment. For example, some Latina respondents felt that putting the 

best face on problems and keeping the family’s “dirty laundry” a secret was particularly 

prevalent in their culture: 

For example, in my case no one would have ever [thought] that something was happening 

because I always looked happy...I think that in South America there is something very important 

that is family education [about privacy], which you don't have here. 

Many non-Hispanic women also expressed these feelings, but identified the 

generation as the influencing force. 

Because of the way we were brought up, our generation, which was always to make the best of 

things, which I don’t think is always bad. I think it’s very -- and I think that’s how marriages last a 

long time. But we’re learning too. We’re learning that at least we have some rights that I think 

we probably, most of us, would not tell. (W) 

The motivation to keep abuse secret appears to have a relationship to SelfBlame. Women who felt Self-Blame often felt an acute need for Secrecy as some of 

the quotations in this section indicate. In combination, Self-Blame and a motivation to 

keep shameful, potentially embarrassing facts secret appear to create a powerful 

deterrent to help-seeking. 

The Center on Aging of Florida International University 51 

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and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.
Domestic Violence Against Older Women NIJ#2002-WG-BS-0100 Technical Report 

(10) Concern for Abuser

This concept describes a woman’s perception that there is an ongoing 

emotional connection that makes the prospect of punishment of the abuser 

unacceptable. Although this emotional connection was more implied than explicit in 

our data, Griffing and her colleagues (2002) documented the same concept in their 

study of why DV survivors return to abusive relationships. They found that, compared 

to women leaving for the first time, participants with a history of past separations were 

significantly more likely to affirm continued emotional attachment to the abuser. 

Similarly, Lutenbacher and her colleagues (2003) noted that “helpers” often do not 

understand the attachment women have to their abusers. One of their research 

subjects said, “He’s still my husband and the father of my children. I know I shouldn’t 

stay, but I love him.” [p. 60] 

DVAOW participants described concern for the abuser as follows: 

... and there was a time when I didn’t say anything about it because I didn’t want anything to 

happen to him, which should have been reverse. (B) 

The next day...the police asked if she wanted to file a case, but she said no, to protect him, you 

know? ‘Cause they were married. 

Many respondents felt that the abuser needed help. For example: 

I think when it comes to abuse and also relationships - - the person that’s abusing someone 

else, whether it be verbal or physical, is truly mistreated. They have been mistreated, usually. 

So it means, usually, a passed down act or they have been in that kind of environment when 

they grew up. And so his father may have been [abusive] so that’s the importance of getting 

help...These are angry people, people that have been hurt and they have no control - - they 

want to have - - what they’re doing is exercising control. It’s a control problem. And deep down 

they may be very sorry as opposed to the person they hurt. But they’re out of control from 

wanting that control. (B) 

I don’t think they should be punished because it’s a sickness. And I think they should go for 

help. (W) 

As the previous quotations show some respondents felt that abusers should 

receive some kind of treatment. However, in some cases they said treatment should 

be preceded by separation, as the next quotations show: 

I think the abuser needs help...I think the first thing we need to do, like anything else, is 

separate them and once you bring the proper authorities in... 

But serious physical abuse there should definitely, in a case where definitely -- the police are 

called, there should be definitely separation, enforced separation. But there should also be 

therapy available. Therapy available to the abuser and therapy available while they’re 

separated, and therapy available to the one who was abused... 

The Center on Aging of Florida International University 52 

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been published by the Department. Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s) 

and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.
Domestic Violence Against Older Women NIJ#2002-WG-BS-0100 Technical Report 

(11) Justice System Response 

Statements made in most groups indicated that respondents clearly saw the JS 

as the logical or likely resource for obtaining at least short-term and perhaps long-term 

assistance. Four JS-related themes were identified. Concern for Abuser and Justice 

System Response relate directly to BHS. Justice System Response in particular 

focuses on potential or actual negative consequences for older women in the JS when 

they experience DA. The other two themes, Expect Help from Justice System and 

Ways to Improve Justice System, reflect the belief that the JS can or does play a 

positive role in helping older women who experience DA. This apparent dichotomy is 

consistent with Dugan and colleagues’ (2003) finding that policies and services 

designed to assist DV victims seemed to have two possible and opposing effects – 

either they decrease the abuse or they have the unintended result of increasing it. 

Justice System Response emerged as one of the most significant systemic 

BHS in the DVAOW data. Respondents described compelling negative beliefs such as 

fear of police brutality toward the victim; negative thoughts about jail as a punishment; 

perception that arrest, restraining orders, or court interventions don’t help (and may 

make things worse); concern that police won’t understand the situation; fear that police 

will ridicule the victims; and a general sense among a few respondents that police 

officers are “bad”. 

A few respondents had actually witnessed police brutality toward the abuser 

and, even when there was some sense of satisfaction the prevailing feeling was 

aversion to this response: 

...When I pressed that button and the police answered the call, they not only came out and 

arrested him, they beat him up... and they really abused him. It was amazing because they did 

it on the street; in the neighbourhood...It wasn’t back in the woods... 

So it ended up being that I was scaring of calling the cops - - and I thought, well, if I call them 

they’re going to come in and kill him. And I really didn’t want him dead. 

Other respondents had not had personal experience with police, but had heard 

stories from friends or relatives, or seen things on televisionthat made them believe 

that police officers might respond violently to an abuser and, further, that this might 

make calling 911 undesirable, as shown in the following quote: 

...television programs, like Cops...is where you see black people usually crying and yelling. 

They come over to the house and you don’t understand what they are saying and you see that a 

white cop comes over and they arrest the black guy because he just beat up his woman. 

Imagine what the scene would be like for an older couple...a man who is 75 and has been 

beating his wife for 50 [years]. 

Quite a number of respondents said that police or court-based interventions 

were unlikely to be effective or had not been effective in their own experience. For 

example: 

E: He was put in jail, put in jail, caught doing the things that he did to her, and I mean, he even 

had a fight in the middle of Bourbon Street with my daughter, tore her jacket off, and beat her 

from the middle of the street.... 

The Center on Aging of Florida International University 53 

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been published by the Department. Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s) 

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Domestic Violence Against Older Women NIJ#2002-WG-BS-0100 Technical Report 

V: And the jail time did nothing to stop the abuse, right? 

E: And neither did abuse class. 

I don’t know the answer to that, but I do know that jail might be good for a first offense. But for 

repeat offenders, the violence, the deeper thing in men that’s [something that] doesn’t go away 

with jail. 

...[I] dialed 911, by the eighth ring, she answered... when I told her what was going [on] she 

said, ‘I will put you on to someone who can help’...They asked, ‘did he hit you?’ ‘No.’ ‘Does he 

have a gun?’ ‘I don’t know.’ They tell me to hang up and dial 911, which I dialed in the first 

place. When I got them [911] the second time, I ended up hanging up on them. 30 minutes later 

two ladies came by, got my name, my age, his name, his age. When they left, that’s when he 

called and said he was sorry that he upset me. Now he has humbled himself big time and 

always - - he is sorry. But, still, I’m uneasy because to me, he has anger in him. 

A restraining order is [a court order] asking him to stay away from you, but it doesn’t keep him 

away from you. 

Yes but most importantly, increase the help a bit more, someone who will hear us out, because 

for example...911 ties our hands, they throw us to the police station... 

In some cases women believed that going to jail or attending a treatment 

program was likely to make the abuser worse, or at least angrier: 

I don’t necessarily know that jail time is good, because they really would just get more pissed 

off. 

And she called the police and complained. So they put the man in -- what’s it called? Anger 

management? The courts sort of mandate the man to take those anger management courses. 

Now, I can tell you, it sure makes the man very angry to take those anger management classes. 

He was so angry. 

One respondent, a retired police officer, described the frustration and 

ineffectiveness of current solutions as follows: 

From the police perspective, people didn’t talk about it until, you know, they were calling 911, 

and then they just go right back to the situation. They don’t want to - - and I understand that 

restraining orders don’t work. I understand the fear and all that. But as a police officer, it was 

very difficult to keep going back to the same house all the time to the same thing. But they didn’t 

talk about it. You know, it was just solve the problem right then, and then it was over. 

Another respondent described a tragic consequence, which she related to the 

arrest and incarceration of the abuser: 

And after many years of, I’m sure, abusing her, of being abused verbally...[he] had been tossed 

out of the home, I believe. She pressed charges. He was in jail, released, up for the hearing, 

and he committed suicide. That seems a total tragedy. I’m not sure what sorts of intervention 

then could have saved the situation. But the grinding of justice and the community resources 

were not adequate with this. 

Several respondents expressed concern that police won’t understand the 

situation, as described in the following quote; 

The Center on Aging of Florida International University 54 

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been published by the Department. Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s) 

and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.
Domestic Violence Against Older Women NIJ#2002-WG-BS-0100 Technical Report 

At the beginning of a relationship, if the first hand or contact from a man, cause a man knows 

he’s stronger than a woman. So the woman knows the first thing she got to do is defend herself. 

Once she defends herself, who’s going to jail? It’s self defense. Cause now you got to go to 

court to prove that it’s self defense. Everybody knows it’s got to be self defense, unless she’s 

like he-man and King Kong or something, you know. 

Some women felt that law enforcement and the courts had little to offer that 

would be of help, and that short term benefits would not be worth the iatrogenic effects 

they were likely to produce: 

It doesn’t matter that he is 75. An abuser is an abuser! The important thing is that the police 

arrest him...to handcuff him and take him away. I think we are right with what we have seen and 

that women don’t speak up and press charges. It is what Olga said...they arrest him and then 

they take him home after 10 minutes and abuse you double time. They abuse her twice. It is a 

vicious cycle that it is hard to break. 

But I don’t want him back. Why would I take counseling? I don’t want him back. I’m done. Like 

you said, going to jail and make time and come back out and be mad ‘cause they had to go to 

jail, because somebody put them in jail. 

Several respondents expressed the belief that police ridicule or otherwise 

mistreat domestic abuse victims, or doubt that they would obtain justice from a system 

(i.e., the police) dominated by men who, some believed, might themselves be spouse 

abusers, as described in the following quotations: 

If a man is like abusing a woman like his wife or girlfriend, and she reports it, she’s always like 

laughed at. Where the police is – [they believe] she probably did upset him to do this...they do 

whatever they want to to their wife...The old men do it. So she would not report it, because like I 

said, she’d be laughed at. So if you grow up in a culture like that, and it happens to you now, 

you’re [not] going to [call the police]. 

But the police, and working with battered women at the time, they were not helpful. So it’s not - - 

I mean, they may be better now. Hopefully they’re better now. But they definitely [were] not 

better at the point...’cause a lot of them beat their wives. 

And I think some of it is because the system is, basically, is run by men, they let men leave, get 

off the hook easy so men - - they give men authority to go out and continue this... 

For the most part respondents were acutely aware that help from the justice 

system was likely to be temporary, either because it would only stop the immediate 

abuse, but not deal with underlying problems, or because they were afraid of 

consequences when the abuser was released. 

B. Other Themes Identified in Analyses 

There were some themes that are not described in detail in this report that merit 

additional analysis in the future, including mutual violence, focus groups as therapy, 

and causes of domestic violence. 

We asked focus group participants about causes of domestic abuse. Reasons 

included: (a) family history of the victim and abuser; (b) poor communications between 

the partners and/or expectations not understood; (c) abuser characteristics or habits 

The Center on Aging of Florida International University 55 

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been published by the Department. Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s) 

and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.
Domestic Violence Against Older Women NIJ#2002-WG-BS-0100 Technical Report 

including mental illness, jealousy, Alzheimer’s, gambling, alcohol and drug abuse and 

“womanizing”; (d) uncertain immigration status of the victim and/or members of the 

victim’s family; (e) life situations such as unemployment, financial problems or 

catastrophic illness. Some of the data regarding causes was incorporated into other 

themes we have discussed, but there is much more to be mined from the data on this 

topic and it might be particularly useful to look at these data in prevention-oriented 

research. 

1. Importance of the Justice System 

Consistent with Dutton and colleagues (1999), the preponderance of DVAOW 

participants, both victims and non-victims, view the JS as the correct and appropriate 

cluster of institutions to address individual incidents of DA. In some cases respondents 

even believed the JS should have a general role in terms of prevention and 

dissemination of information about help options in the community. 

Two positive themes about the JS emerged. One of these is that older women 

expect [and need] assistance from the JS when they experience DA. As reported by 

Wilkinson and Hamerschlag (2004), this is consistent with Block and colleagues’13 

finding that contacting the police was the most common type of formal help-seeking. 

The second positive theme addressed ways the JS could be improved to better meet 

the needs of older women. 

Many women commented on the importance of engaging the JS in cases of 

abuse, and in particular in cases of physical abuse, as the following quotations 

demonstrate: 

I believe that many people accept or put up with the violence because they do not know where 

to go. But I would at least call 911 or the police so that they can do something. Or so that at 

least...there is a grievance filed if nothing happens. This way there is proof that something has 

happened and that in the future it can be taken care of responsibly. 

If you call the police and they see you all beat up, it’s automatic. It’s automatic. Even if the wife 

says: oh, no, don’t touch him, he’s got to go to work’. Uh-uh, he’s out of there. 

Things are much better than before...one of my [friends is a] prosecutor of domestic abuse in 

the department of domestic abuse in the state attorney’s office, and there’s a few prosecutors in 

that [unit that handle domestic violence] cases so they are doing something about it. And they 

are sending people to jail. 

F: [Call] 911. 

J: You take that first step. It wouldn’t be for everything. That would be like a spring board. 

But I think the abuser has got to be dealt with, regardless who does it. But it has to be 

somebody in authority. Somebody - - a police man, somebody, maybe from the court. I don’t 

know how this works; I have no idea. But I think the abuser has to be dealt with because if he 

isn’t, if he isn’t dealt with, this could happen again. 

13 Block, CR, Skogan, WF, Fugate, M and Devitt, C (2001). Collective efficacy and community capacity 

make a difference ‘behind closed doors’? Washington, DC: National Institute of Justice. 

The Center on Aging of Florida International University 56 

This document is a research report submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice. This report has not 

been published by the Department. Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s) 

and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.
Domestic Violence Against Older Women NIJ#2002-WG-BS-0100 Technical Report 

So he has to be dealt with. I don’t know who has to do it, but somebody has got to do it. It’s not 

a neighbor, it’s not a cousin, it’s not a brother, it’s the authority. The police have got to come in 

on this. 

There were quite a few women who felt that abusers should be punished, and 

that even police excesses might be justified, as described in the examples below: 

Well, my opinion is that the violent person in the relationship should suffer as much as the other 

person... (B) 

...in my way of thinking they should be punished. (W) 

I think that should be the first step. They should be prosecuted. First and foremost, if you’ve 

committed that crime, that’s a violent crime against another person, bodily harm another person, 

they should be prosecuted. 

...because they kicked his butt so bad and they sprayed him and the next day he was all beat 

up. And secretly I was glad. Good, you got a little bit of what you do to me. (W) 

Other respondents believed that the police or the courts should play a more 

therapeutic role, as in the following quotations: 

I think the abuser needs help...I think the first thing we need to do, like anything else, is 

separate them and once you bring the proper authorities in...I think there is a law in terms of 

female/male battering, there’s a law whether you press charges or not, the police will still take 

over. But, yes, I think the person needs counseling. But not at the moment when the abuse is 

going on, or at the moment the abuse is going on, they need to be arrested and restrained in 

any fashion that you can restrain them. 

...when there is a case of violence and the police is called the law immediately should put him 

in a rehabilitation program... 

In a case where...the police are called, there should be definitely separation, enforced 

separation. But there should also be therapy available...to the abuser...and therapy available to 

the one who was abused...I think the solution is that the money is available for community help 

for these people while they’re forcibly separated. 

I think that they should go to the court. I know people say the court can’t do anything, but after 

he left one or two times, they should be sent to some sort of counseling, and then after that...if 

he keeps coming back, a sentence. 

I think that there should be legal consequences. Sometimes, the same judge dictates that the 

person, who is the aggressor, receives therapy...and the person who received the abuse needs 

therapy too. 

Either way there is little doubt that law enforcement and 911 are where many 

DVAOW respondents, both victims and non-victims, are prone to go first. Many felt 

that even if the ultimate consequences were unlikely to be beneficial, the JS was still 

the first place to turn, especially in cases where the woman feels endangered. 

“Call your local police station. Don’t hesitate to call if someone is beating on you. Grab a phone. 

Call the police. That will stop them temporarily and then try to solve the situation.” 

The Center on Aging of Florida International University 57 

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been published by the Department. Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s) 

and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.
Domestic Violence Against Older Women NIJ#2002-WG-BS-0100 Technical Report 

Yes. But I’d call in a heartbeat, because I remember when I was that person getting beat up. I 

just wished that somebody would have come to the door, appeared, and helped me. 

Since I don't have it [DV] at this time, I am a little bit disconnected...but if it happened to me 

now I would call 911 because I don't have any other number to call. 

The one thing I want to add, I think 911, I think would be the first point of contact— 

If I was in that position I would go to the yellow pages...maybe if I didn’t think of the yellow 

pages, out of desperation, I would just call 911 and ask for help. You know, I’m sure they know 

an agency or half way house or whatever they call it, that I could go to. 

Respondents were quite aware of the power of the police to arrest the abuser, 

and some had a vague understanding that this might be the first step in acquiring 

treatment for the abuser. For example: 

When the police come...and they see the woman all beat up and she’s saying, ‘no, don’t take 

him to jail. Give him another chance.’ They take him automatically...and so some degree of 

punishment is already set in motion. But he definitely has to go to anger management ... 

Regardless of whether the wife accepts what is going on, she’s not ready yet to admit that she’s 

being abused...but there are things now that this man has got to pay dues. 

Moreover, some women believed that the ultimatum of “jail or treatment” might 

provide the abuser with the necessary motivation to seek help for the problem. 

...either you go to treatment or you go to jail, and so most times people choose treatment. 

So you don’t have a choice. You either go for therapy or do you the next step that you take, 

which is get the cops [involved]...so it becomes mandatory. 

I think that first thing should be some type of therapy and it should be mandatory not voluntary. 

Because men don’t usually volunteer, and sometimes they won’t even go even if it’s mandatory. 

I’ve worked in the court system with the DCF and I’ve sat in court and selected cases of abuse 

and men would not seek therapy unless it’s absolutely mandatory. And [if they don’t comply] 

they need to go to jail. 

Interestingly, a few respondents appeared to believe that the primary reason for 

engaging the justice system is for the sake of retributive justice, rather than to produce 

an outcome of safety or other relationship-oriented outcome for the woman 

experiencing the abuse, although this certainly was not the prevailing belief. 

The men or someone who is very abusive, very abusive, - - punishment, jail and not for a few 

days. They should stay there for a year. Because some of these men...they shoot you, cut you, 

and beat you so bad, you keep to yourself and nobody else. They beat you up, stomp you... 

What should happen...I really think they should go to jail and I think that they should be made to 

realize... 

Finally, some participants felt the JS should take an expanded role in 

responding to DA in older women, as reflected in the quotation below: 

The Center on Aging of Florida International University 58 

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been published by the Department. Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s) 

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Domestic Violence Against Older Women NIJ#2002-WG-BS-0100 Technical Report 

I think that the most important people are the police. I think the police can really be instructed 

where there’s help available, because they’re the ones that are the first on the scene. I think 

they should really be educated on the possibilities. 

Notably, while the majority of participants agreed that emotional abuse was as 

bad as, or worse than, physical abuse, most of the discussion on appropriate JS 

response was focused on incidents of physical abuse. Respondents were generally 

silent on the role of the JS when the “crime” was emotional abuse. For example, in the 

quotation below, the woman expresses the need for assistance when mental abuse 

occurs, but appears to accept that it does not constitute criminal behavior: 

That’s what I think - - mental abuse can be worse than physical abuse. You have no proof of it. 

You have nothing to show and you can’t have them arrested. And all you can do is get up and 

leave... 

In fact, there was a sense that emotional abuse, while terribly destructive, was 

not “criminal” even among respondents who were comfortable with criminal sanctions 

for physical violence, as shown in the following quotation: 

That’s the thing, being in an abusive -- I think where there’s serious abuse, where one partner 

seriously hurts another, and we’re not even talking about emotional abuse. You know, that’s a 

tough one. But serious physical abuse there should definitely...the police [should be] called. 

Nevertheless, a few respondents did believe that emotional abuse was in fact 

criminal, even if they were not clear about appropriate legal remedies. For example: 

I imagine that in this country the psychological mistreatment, many women don't know it, but [it] is 

the worse crime. It is the worse because you cannot see it. The psychological mistreatment is felt 

and it goes on destroying one from the inside. Many women don't know that this is worse than 

any other thing because it starts damaging a person's mind. Our entire life is damaged because 

of emotional violence...In this country we don't know it and many women hold on without knowing 

that it is a crime. (H) 

Recommendations for improving how the JS responds to DA in older women 

included helping victims with the process, placing police and court personnel who 

specialize in DA in neighborhood centers, increasing education for women about DA 

and available help resources, and helping immigrants. 

2. Abusers Include Adult Children and Parents 

Although the focus of our research was intimate partner violence in older 

women, a number of respondents described past or ongoing abuse from children and 

(less frequently) parents. This theme is important because, from our analysis of the 

transcripts it often was not clear what distinctions, other than relationship of the 

perpetrator to the victim, could be made between descriptions of spousal or partner 

violence and violence by offspring or parents. In terms of adult children, quite a few 

participants had grown children living with them and described conflicts of varying 

intensity, including physically abusive behavior. 

The Center on Aging of Florida International University 59 

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been published by the Department. Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s) 

and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.
Domestic Violence Against Older Women NIJ#2002-WG-BS-0100 Technical Report 

But even old people are getting battered by their children now. 

I saw that in a building I was working - - there were two sons, and they were big bruisers, and 

they were beating up their mother all the time. 

My son hit me -- more or less pushed me back against the bookcase and slit my arm ... 

[Someone] called the police. When the police came, they filed a suit against my son for pushing 

me...[an] older person...It’s a domestic offense. Now that is domestic violence. 

Abuse by a parent that was described by several women appeared to be a 

long-standing pattern and in these cases there was no indication that the abuse was 

related to dependence or caregiving. 

The last time...it was during Hurricane Andrew, the one that attacked me...was my mother. And 

she told me how much she hated me, how much she despised me...and when the police got 

there and saw all the blood on my body, they wanted to put her jail and I say: ‘That’s my mother, 

you can‘t put her in jail’. 

3. Accommodation and Survival. This theme, which was mentioned earlier 

and confirmed by participants in our focus groups (see quotes below), is documented 

in existing DV literature. For example, Grigsby and Hartman (1997) noted that 

behaviors often ascribed to “codependency” may actually be adaptations that allowed 

women to survive relationships with a violent partner. Goodman and colleagues (2003) 

described development and application of an instrument to, in fact, measure the 

strategies women use to survive domestic abuse. 

We believe that better understanding about how this works across an adult’s 

lifetime, particularly as it relates to older victims’ acceptance of intervention, should be 

explored in future research. 

...there are persons with whom you cannot establish communication, even if one tries, the other 

cannot establish it. So it is better to be quiet, swallow, and say, well this is my destiny, what can 

one do? Continue as God wills it. 

...but when he came angry I, with all the calm in the world, with the soft answer to cool down 

the fury... 

And then I had a husband for 29 years always threatening me all the time and he was hitting 

me... I got a book in the library...[about] Karate ...and he figured I’d learn it. So he stopped 

hitting me and started insulting me all the time. I started reading the Bible over and over, so I 

didn’t even have to hear him because I had to concentrate on what I was reading. And just 

using psychology: ‘Please, dear, I’m trying to read the Bible’. I learned how to crochet: ‘Please, 

dear, I’m counting stitches’. You know, anything that would put him off. 

C. Observations Regarding Variations by Age, Ethnicity, and Race

 1. Variations by Age. Most of the DV studies cited throughout this report 

were conducted with relatively young samples. In many instances the [older] women in 

the DVAOW study described the same feelings and opinions about DV as the young 

women in these other studies. However, there were a few notable age-related 

differences. Secrecy, as described by DVAOW respondents, was a cultural and/or 

generational behavior. Repeatedly respondents observed that people of their 

The Center on Aging of Florida International University 60 

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been published by the Department. Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s) 

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Domestic Violence Against Older Women NIJ#2002-WG-BS-0100 Technical Report 

generation did not air “dirty laundry”. Concern for Abuser also appears to be 

particularly strong with older women. This seemed to result partially from the length of 

time in the relationship, and partially from an awareness of abusers’ advanced age 

and increasing needs for assistance. Finally, Hopelessness seemed to have a strong 

age-related component which was expressed as a feeling that it might be too late, or if 

things had gone on “this long”, one might just as well continue to endure the abuse. 

In a rare study that included data on both younger and older women14, Mezey, 

Post, and Maxwell (2002) found that, as had been previously reported, rate of physical 

abuse is negatively related to age. They learned, however, that the rate of nonphysical abuse does not have the same inverse relationship to age. In fact in the two 

oldest age groups (58-62; 62-69) rates of non-physical abuse rose from the rates 

determined for women 53-57. Mezey and colleagues observed that prevalence rates 

for combined physical violence and non-physical violence were higher for women over 

58 years of age than for women between ages 18 and 42. This is consistent with the 

DVAOW finding that many respondents believed emotional or verbal abuse was as 

bad as, or worse than, physical abuse, and shows that this observation becomes 

particularly relevant for older DV victims. 

Mouton and his colleagues (2004) found that exposure to abuse among 

postmenopausal women in their study was associated with younger age and lower 

income. They noted that, while this is consistent with other DV studies, it contradicts 

existing elder abuse data. Mouton and colleagues (2004) speculated that this 

contradiction may have occurred because their study focused on functionally 

independent women, while elder abuse studies generally focus solely on frail elders. 

They concluded: “If a woman remains functionally independent, the risk factors for 

abuse mirror those for intimate partner violence.” [p. 609] 

2. Variations by Ethnicity and Race. The methodology used in this 

study lends itself better to the identification of similarities between groups rather than 

differences, due in part to the emphasis on the discovery of themes and patterns in the 

data. It is occasionally possible to identify differences between sub-groups; however, 

the prevalence of differences must be interpreted with caution, since the sample is 

both small and non-random 

In fact, there were few concepts or themes that emerged from the DVAOW data 

that were not present among Hispanic, White non-Hispanic and Black non-Hispanic 

women. Our findings suggest that older women of all three ethnic-racial groups talk 

about DA in much the same terms, and all showed similar evidence that it occurs with 

some regularity in their communities. At least some Black non-Hispanic, White nonHispanic, and Hispanic respondents had experienced DA and DV, and virtually all 

were aware of its occurrence among people they knew. 

This seems to contradict some existing literature. For example, some authors 

extrapolate from findings with younger populations that the prevalence of DV is likely 

to be higher among older minority women than non-minority women (Grossman, 2003; 

Pearlman, 2003). Others suggest that older women are regarded with such great 

respect in Black non-Hispanic and Hispanic communities that there is likely to be little 

or no domestic violence (Griffin, 1999; Hall, 1999). The literature on dependency also 

 Women ranged in age from 18 to 69 years. 

The Center on Aging of Florida International University 61 

14

This document is a research report submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice. This report has not 

been published by the Department. Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s) 

and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.
Domestic Violence Against Older Women NIJ#2002-WG-BS-0100 Technical Report 

suggests that there may be cultural variations. Hispanic women, in particular, are 

though to be relatively more economically dependent on their husbands. Statistically 

Latinas are less likely than their non-Hispanic White and Back counterparts to work 

outside the home (Bowleg, 2000; Dixon, 2001; Salabarria-Pena, 2003; Saul, 2000). 

While we found few differences among DVAOW groups on any of the concepts 

related to dependence and powerlessness, or in the way they discussed their 

relationships with or dependency on other family members, some differences were 

identified. Both Hispanic and non-Hispanic Black women expressed more overt 

spirituality. They were more likely to find strength in God, and to seek help from the 

faith community, either through clergy or other activities in their places of worship or at 

home. These sentiments were expressed by White non-Hispanic women, but with far 

less frequency. 

There also were differences between the groups with regard to their orientation 

toward the justice system. Black and White non-Hispanic women suggested that they 

were more likely to seek help from police and the courts than Hispanic women, and 

talked considerably more about both positive and negative experience with aspects of 

the law enforcement and justice systems. Many indicated that they viewed “911” or law 

enforcement as their primary source of help in cases of physical abuse. By contrast, 

both groups indicated that negative experiences were quite prevalent in cases where 

law enforcement or the courts had been engaged. There were two cases where 

respondents reported that the perpetrator had been “beaten” by the police. In one case 

the respondent was White, in the other Black. 

Hispanic women rarely talked about seeking help from law enforcement or the 

courts even in cases where there was physical violence. They reported few positive or 

negative contacts. Rather, they seemed to avoid the topic even when brought up by 

the focus group leader. In almost every case where they referred to the justice system 

they turned discussion quickly to other topics. For example, several suggested that the 

police or a judge might be mandate “psychotherapy” or “counseling” for the 

perpetrator. Few talked about “arrest” or “incarceration”. It is possible that Hispanic 

older women are more reluctant to seek help from formal sources rather than from 

friends and families. This would be consistent with a recently published study that 

found Hispanic older women to be less likely to be referred to social services by their 

friends and families than their White and Black counterparts (Grossman, 2003). 

Not surprisingly, Hispanic women most frequently expressed concerns that 

related to immigration issues (there was one exception, from a women who emigrated 

from Europe). It seems reasonable to speculate that the reluctance of women to 

engage with the JS may relate to their fear of deportation or their perception that 

services that are available to citizens are not available to them. This was very clearly 

articulated by one respondent: 

Then, the doors will be closed, because an immigrant is not permitted to have access to 

those resources. Now, if you are a resident...Then, one has to become a citizen, a 

second-class citizen....Then, the doors will be closed, because an immigrant is not 

permitted to have access to those resources. 

As previously noted, even in the cases where ethnic or racial differences were 

identified, there were usually exceptions. Clearly there were White non-Hispanic 

The Center on Aging of Florida International University 62 

This document is a research report submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice. This report has not 

been published by the Department. Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s) 

and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.
Domestic Violence Against Older Women NIJ#2002-WG-BS-0100 Technical Report 

women who sought solace or concrete forms of assistance from religious groups and 

clergy. There were some Hispanic women who were inclined to seek help from law 

enforcement in full understanding that it would mean arrest or more severe 

consequences for the perpetrator. There was even one White non-Hispanic 

respondent who articulated concerns related to her immigration status. Since the 

actual prevalence of such sentiments in the general population is unknown, we again 

emphasize the need to be very cautious when attempting to generalize the DVAOW 

findings to larger populations. 

V. PROJECT PRODUCTS 

A. Draft Survey Tool 

Grounded theory based on data collected in initial focus groups and interviews, 

and informed by feedback from health and social service professionals, formed the 

basis of a draft instrument developed to explore women’s experiences with an array of 

“symptoms” or problems associated with DA and BHS. The instruments will be used to 

test the model of DA and BHS suggested by the current research in future research 

initiatives. The intervention readiness component, which is currently being pilot-tested 

in a three-year demonstration project that provides a community-based advocate to 

work with older victims and assist them in obtaining needed services across multiple 

service systems, also may be used in future research. 

These models emerged from frameworks identified in the data. Survey 

development was aided by the use of the networks feature of ATLAS.ti, which 

facilitated analysis of linkages between codes, quotations, families of codes, etc. 

Frequent referencing of quotations, that is, respondents’ words verbatim, helped 

insure that items created for the survey, or adapted from existing surveys, were 

worded appropriately and related to important concepts in a way consistent with the 

communication patterns and cultural norms of respondents. 

After testing, the instrument also may have at least two additional uses. It may 

be a useful tool for persons who respond to situations involving older women who 

experience domestic violence because it provides a framework to (a) help responders 

and victims identify the indicators of abuse present in the situation and (b) individual 

BHS, and (c) specify receptiveness to and readiness for various intervention options. 

Additionally, the instrument may be useful at the community level to assess 

community-specific needs of older women who experience domestic abuse, leading to 

development of community-level responses that will increase help-seeking among 

victims and effectiveness of efforts to assure victim safety. Notably, it is our goal to 

produce a final tested instrument with three or four items per factor. 

We conducted preliminary member checking of the draft survey tool with two 

follow-up focus groups of women who had participated in the original study. Women 

were asked to participate if: (1) they participated in a known-victim group or indicated 

they had been a DV victim at some time in their life; (2) they expressed themselves 

understandably in the original focus group; (3) they speak English well enough to 

participate in an English-speaking group. The latter was necessary because both 

The Center on Aging of Florida International University 63 

This document is a research report submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice. This report has not 

been published by the Department. Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s) 

and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.
Domestic Violence Against Older Women NIJ#2002-WG-BS-0100 Technical Report 

follow-up groups were conducted in English. Although several Hispanics who spoke 

English were invited to participate, none of these women actually came to either of the 

follow-up group sessions. Each group lasted approximately two hours. Participants 

were paid $25 for time and travel reimbursement. 

Seven women participated in the follow-up groups. Both groups completed 

review of all three sections of the questionnaire. A profile of follow-up group 

participants is shown in Table 3 below: 

Table 3. Profile of participants in follow-up focus groups 

Group 1 

Victim? Race/Ethnicity Age Income 

Yes White non-Hispanic 48 High 

Yes Black non-Hispanic 45 Low 

Group 2 

Victim? Race/Ethnicity Age Income 

Yes Black non-Hispanic 65 Low 

Yes Black non-Hispanic 47 Low 

Yes Black non-Hispanic 52 High 

Yes White non-Hispanic 70 Low 

Possibly White non-Hispanic 61 High 

The group discussion focused on the survey pre-test goals established by 

Czaja (1998), as summarized below: 

A. Respondent Comprehension, Burden, and Interest 

1. Do respondents have difficulty understanding words, terms, or concepts? 

2. Is the sentence structure too complex? Do respondents understand the 

question, the task required, and the answer format? 

3. Do respondents interpret the question as the researcher intends? 

4. Do respondents use different response categories or choices than those 

offered? 

5. Are respondents willing and able to perform the tasks required to provide 

accurate and complete answers? 

6. Are respondents attentive and interested in the questions? 

B. Other Questionnaire Issues 

7. Do the sections of the questionnaire and the questions within the 

sections have a logical flow? 

8. Is there evidence of question order effects? 

A ninth question was added to Cjaza’s goals, i.e., participants were asked to 

suggest any items they thought should be on the questionnaire, but weren’t. 

Participants’ responses were extremely useful. In terms of questions 1 through 

6 above, participants identified items that were problematic for each of these criteria. 

Notably, participants were attentive and interested in the questions, despite the length 

of the questionnaire. Both groups insisted on completing a review of the entire 

instrument. This is in contrast to feedback from a few professionals who reviewed the 

The Center on Aging of Florida International University 64 

This document is a research report submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice. This report has not 

been published by the Department. Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s) 

and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.
Domestic Violence Against Older Women NIJ#2002-WG-BS-0100 Technical Report 

instrument and felt it was too long and would not retain women’s interest. Of course, 

extra items are included in the draft to allow for robust testing of the instrument and the 

model. A final version of the instrument, which will emerge after future research, will in 

fact be much shorter. 

In terms of other questionnaire issues, participants did comment on some 

problems with question flow. Additionally, order effects were somewhat problematic, 

mainly because questions were presented in concept clusters rather than “mixed” 

throughout the survey. Some focus group participants were confused by the number of 

items that seemed to be asking the same thing. 

We made adjustments to the draft instrument accordingly. Each individual item 

was carefully reviewed by the research team and (1) retained unchanged (this only 

occurred when there was no specific feedback from the focus groups), (2) retained but 

modified, or (3) deleted. New questions also were added as suggested by the 

participants. 

We did observe that the second group, with five women from very different 

backgrounds, was relatively difficult to facilitate. This confirmed the value of our 

original methodology, i.e., talking with women in “like” groups, particularly in terms of 

age and ethnicity/race. 

While it would have been desirable to test the survey with a larger number of 

older women, given the financial and time constraints of the study, it was not practical 

to do so. However, the research team is in the process of developing research 

proposals for subsequent studies that will explore these issues. 

The draft survey, included as Appendix D, reflects the feedback from the followup focus group participants. 

B. Draft Practice Guidelines 

The research team also developed practice guidelines. We recognized that 

each law enforcement, public safety, healthcare, and social service agency has its 

own policies and procedures, some of which are statutory. Therefore, the purpose of 

the Practice Guidelines is to provide first responders and other professionals who may 

interact with older women who experience DA with an initial assessment and triage 

tool to enhance responsiveness and effectiveness of personnel who carry out existing 

procedures. This may increase the likelihood that when they respond to older victims, 

the victims receive assistance that the victim will accept, and that will not exacerbate 

the situation. 

This tool, while similar to others familiar to researchers and professionals in the 

DV field, conforms to findings from the DVAOW research related to particular concerns 

and language used by older women. The document is organized around a series of 

assessment questions applied in decision tree-type alternative paths. 

We solicited feedback on the draft Guidelines from approximately 20 field 

“experts”, including law enforcement, courts, prosecutors’ office, shelters, and 

community service agencies. Six people responded. Modifications were made based 

on this feedback. Notably, responses were mixed regarding both the usefulness and 

user friendliness of the Guidelines. 

The Draft Practice Guidelines are included as Appendix E. 

The Center on Aging of Florida International University 65 

This document is a research report submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice. This report has not 

been published by the Department. Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s) 

and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.
Domestic Violence Against Older Women NIJ#2002-WG-BS-0100 Technical Report 

C. Dissemination of Results

 1. Community Involvement 

Over the past two years, our involvement in this research has connected us to 

local domestic violence service community. Most team members have joined the 

Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Council of Greater Miami, and one member of 

the team serves on that group’s executive board. Members of this council include 

representatives of all aspects of the justice system, services providers, and 

researchers from several of the local universities. Last year we participated in a 

community effort to obtain funding for a Family Justice Center in Miami-Dade County 

and we will be participating in another effort to obtain such funding when another 

request for proposals is released. 

One of the DVAOW researchers has worked with a local group for the past two 

years to successfully obtain three-year funding to pilot establishment of a communitybased advocate for older victims of domestic violence and sexual assault, as 

previously described. Notably, the Project Director of an NIJ-funded training grant also 

is a partner in this pilot program. The Elder Abuse Coalition, which was established by 

a group of community agencies following publication of the results of our 1999 study 

on Elder Abuse and Intra-Family Violence, has recently been revived, with support 

from The Center on Aging. Several years ago this group was successful in obtaining 

ongoing funding for an Elder Abuse Team designed to intervene for Adult Protective 

Services in cases that were particularly complex or that had a history of multiple APS 

investigations. 

2. National Dissemination and Continued Research 

During the next twelve months we will produce at least two articles for 

publication in peer-reviewed journals, in addition to the article we will submit to NIJ. 

Also we plan to submit applications for presentation of our findings at two or three 

national meetings. With the approval of NIJ, the technical report will be posted on both 

The Center on Aging’s and the Department of Social Work’s web sites. 

This project produced a large and robust database on which we plan to base a 

number of proposals for future research. Two research proposals already have been 

submitted, and a third proposal is currently under development. 

VI. CHALLENGES AND LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY 

Participation in this research has been a remarkable experience for our team. 

We are grateful to the women who volunteered to talk with us, and especially the very 

special 134 women who were willing to share their stories and their ideas with us in 

the focus groups. Nevertheless, there were several significant challenges in 

completing this project. 

One of the biggest challenges involved recruiting subjects, particularly in certain 

demographic subgroups. These issues were discussed in detail in Section III.A.1.c. 

Another challenge involved analyzing the large amount of data generated. Data 

The Center on Aging of Florida International University 66 

This document is a research report submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice. This report has not 

been published by the Department. Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s) 

and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.
Domestic Violence Against Older Women NIJ#2002-WG-BS-0100 Technical Report 

analysis (see Section III.B.) was extremely labor intensive. Our initial project plan had 

not allowed sufficient time for this process to be achieved, requiring us to request an 

additional six months (after the initial 24 months had passed) to complete the analysis 

and write this Technical Report. In particular we learned that iterative review of 

transcript data from the approximately 40 hours of group dialogue was essential to 

clarifying concepts and assuring that we made the correct interpretation of participants’ 

statements. This meant that transcripts were read several times each by more than 

one member of the research team. While ATLAS.ti was an invaluable tool, we may 

have over-anticipated the amount of time it would save and, indeed, saving time is 

probably not its greatest value. 

There are quite a number of limitations in our findings, which are discussed 

below, in no particular order. Some limitations are inherent in the study approach. 

Although we employed a sampling strategy designed to maximize variation, all 

participants were residents of Miami-Dade County and therefore do not necessarily 

represent all older women living in any other community. There is an extraordinarily 

broad cross section of people living in Miami, and this is reflected in the sample; 

however there is always the possibility of bias based on residency in any single 

geographic area. In a related limitation, to the extent that our participants’ comments 

were based on experience with local justice system and service providers, again we 

cannot generalize their observations to other communities without additional research. 

While we used screens in the selection of focus group participants, respondents 

answered advertisements about a study of “conflict in intimate relationships”. It is 

possible that the emphasis on “conflict” in the advertisement may have produced some 

self-selection bias. However, it is notable that the advertisement did not use the word 

“violence”. 

There is some inherent limitation in the use of a grounded theory approach. 

Maximum variation sampling helps to insure that the pool of respondents in the study 

is as broad as possible. The grounded theory approach then searches for similarities 

and themes that generalize to some or all of the study respondents. The strongest 

findings are those that can be generalized to the majority of respondents, since those 

findings appear valid for respondents in spite of relatively large demographic or other 

differences. Such findings appear more stable and are therefore the primary findings 

used to generate grounded theories that are the product of such studies. However, 

maximum variation sampling does not insure that there will be a representative 

sample, particularly of minority classes (e.g., race, age, income) in the sample. 

Therefore grounded theories based on the differences between classes, while 

possible, must be viewed with considerably more caution. The current study 

emphasizes similarities between respondents. This should not imply that there are no 

important differences, but rather that more research, especially research using large 

numbers of respondents and quantitative techniques, will be necessary to fully explore 

such differences. 

Another limitation of the study is that it is based on self reports of older women 

about their experiences and perspectives on domestic abuse, in some cases, long 

after the problems they discussed had occurred. While this has the benefit of 

grounding the theory generated from the study in their genuine viewpoint, and at times 

The Center on Aging of Florida International University 67 

This document is a research report submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice. This report has not 

been published by the Department. Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s) 

and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.
Domestic Violence Against Older Women NIJ#2002-WG-BS-0100 Technical Report 

even their own words, it has the obvious limitation that there were no direct 

observations or checks on their behavior. 

Results of this study are based entirely on concepts and themes that could be 

verified through actual responses of participants in the form of quotations. This relates 

to the principal strength of the approach, in that the theories generated are “grounded” 

in the perspective of the subjects under study, and are therefore relevant to them. 

Corbin and Strauss (1990) have described this as a process by which concepts and 

themes and theories “earn” their place in the results by being present in participant 

responses.15 However, this approach can also be seen as a limitation, in that there 

may be relevant concepts that were simply not discussed by respondents.Similarly, 

concepts and other theoretical propositions that could not be verified through actual 

responses from participants were omitted from results. Indeed, several concepts and 

propositions suggested by members of the research team at the outset of the study 

were dropped from subsequent analyses due to a lack of support in the responses of 

participants. It is important to note that this does not mean that concepts suggested in 

previous theoretical and empirical writings are “invalid”. Rather, such theories and 

conceptualizations were simply not found in this particular sample. 

Finally, there is an inherent subjectivity in the analysis that is inescapable. The 

research team has partially dealt with this by insisting that all important concepts 

resulting from these data be verified by multiple members of the research team, but 

there is no way to entirely eliminate subjectivity in this type of research. 

VII. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS 

This study addressed a very limited literature in the area of DV and older 

women by employing an ethnically and economically diverse older sample who gave 

voice to what it is like to experience DA as an older woman. Many of the concepts that 

emerged in the DVAOW study have been discussed in domestic violence literature. 

However, our findings are unique in the following ways: 

• Using a relatively large (in terms of qualitative research) and diverse sample, we 

were able to use qualitative data analysis software and qualitative analysis 

techniques to effectively generate a number of important themes and a proposed 

model. This was especially important because the findings were grounded 

entirely in what older women themselves said in response to the research 

questions. 

• The relationship between the experience of DA and BHS that was suggested by 

the data is a new conceptualization of the response to the often asked question, 

“why do they stay?” in terms of older women, and consistent with findings from 

smaller qualitative DV studies with younger subjects. 

• The idea that some older women believe that preserving the family unit is an 

essential part of their family role and responsibility, and described this as a value 

15 Corbin, J., & Strauss, A. (1990). Grounded Theory Research - Procedures, Canons and Evaluative 

Criteria. Qualitative Sociology, 13(1). 

The Center on Aging of Florida International University 68 

This document is a research report submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice. This report has not 

been published by the Department. Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s) 

and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.
Domestic Violence Against Older Women NIJ#2002-WG-BS-0100 Technical Report 

distinct from the obligation to protect individual family members from the direct or 

indirect effects of DA, has not been previously reported in the DV literature. 

• Although some of the concepts presented in this report are consistent with 

existing DV literature, there are no reports in the literature regarding how older 

women think and feel about DA and the related issues we explored in this study. 

• The role of the justice system in responding to DA against older women was 

discussed in some detail in the focus group sessions. Notably, this occurred in 

the absence of any question about the justice system, but rather in response to a 

probe regarding what should happen when older women experience DA. 

Therefore, the frequent mention of the justice system can be interpreted to reflect 

respondents’ independent identification of the justice system as the most likely 

place to seek help. 

• Several of the findings have major implications for the justice system. 

o If the relationship between DA and BHS proposed in our model is 

confirmed in future research, it would suggest an urgent need for 

updated training of justice system professionals as well as consideration 

of modifications to laws, sentencing guidelines, and law enforcement 

policies and procedures. 

o Although we gained many insights from DVAOW respondents, it would 

be important to conduct quantitative research regarding why older 

women don’t seek help from the justice system, and further, to develop 

tools so that individual communities can fine-tune the justice system 

response to DA based on the unique characteristics of their older citizens 

as well as the impact of state and local laws, policies, procedures and 

judicial culture. 

Overall, we recommend continued funding of research regarding older women 

who experience domestic abuse. Additionally, research is needed to better understand 

how the experience of what is traditionally called “elder abuse” differs from the model 

proposed in this report and to identify common themes in DV and elder abuse models. 

The Center on Aging of Florida International University 69 

This document is a research report submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice. This report has not 

been published by the Department. Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s) 

and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.
Domestic Violence Against Older Women NIJ#2002-WG-BS-0100 Technical Report 

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and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.
Domestic Violence Against Older Women NIJ#2002-WG-BS-0100 Technical Report 

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been published by the Department. Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s) 

and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.
Domestic Violence Against Older Women NIJ#2002-WG-BS-0100 Technical Report 

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been published by the Department. Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s) 

and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.
Domestic Violence Against Older Women NIJ#2002-WG-BS-0100 Technical Report 

Zink, T, Regan, S, Jacobson, CJ, and Pabst, S (2003). “Cohort, Period, and Aging 

Effects.” Violence Against Women, 9(12):1429-1441. 

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been published by the Department. Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s) 

and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.
Domestic Violence Against Older Women NIJ#2002-WG-BS-0100 Technical Report 

APPENDICES 

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and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.
Domestic Violence Against Older Women NIJ#2002-WG-BS-0100 Technical Report 

APPENDIX A 

FOCUS GROUP PROTOCOL 

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Domestic Violence Against Older Women NIJ#2002-WG-BS-0100 Technical Report 

FOCUS GROUP PROTOCOL 

The primary objective of the protocol is to get respondents to talk openly. Remember 

that prompts are to be used sparingly, and only to help elicit responses. Many times 

you will not need them because respondents will cover the areas without prompting! 

MODERATOR RULES OF THUMB 

• Moderator must be attentive to what issues are important and to when discussion 

moves out of focus or to other themes. 

• Use of common language as in everyday talking, chatting. 

• Moderator has to be attentive and sensitive to reactions among participants 

about the issues. 

• All questions, probes, prompts need to be asked in the third person...use 

"someone", "people in your group", "people", "people you have heard about", etc. 

TOPIC 1: SETTING THE STAGE 

Everyone lives with or near other people with whom they have an intimate relationship, 

like spouses, family, or their partner. 

We want to talk with you today about how you believe women in our age group and 

cultural background think about handling conflict in these relationships at this point in 

their lives. 

TOPIC 2: DEFINING NORMAL VS. ABERRANT 

We all know that when you spend a lot of time with people, there are bound to be 

things that you disagree about, or even fight about and have conflicts. This is normal 

for most people even in intimate relationships. 

• Maybe you can think of some examples of "everyday" conflict in 

intimate relationships? 

• What kind of things to people do? 

• What kinds of things do people say? 

• How do they say it (...yelling, keeping it all inside...) 

• Do you know of people getting physical? 

What happens if conflict gets "out of hand"? 

• Have you heard of such situations? 

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and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.
Domestic Violence Against Older Women NIJ#2002-WG-BS-0100 Technical Report 

• What is that like? 

• What kind of things do people do? 

• How do these things end? 

• How do they get resolved? 

(Note: probing for mutual violence is implicit in these questions as they are 

asked in a "gender neutral" way and allow for participants to describe 

aggression by the male, female or both parties) 

If the “why’s” come up here, look at prompts for Topic 4. 

TOPIC 3: DOMESTIC VIOLENCE (EXPLORING LANGUAGE FURTHER) 

How many of your have heard the term "domestic violence"? 

• What does that mean to you? 

• Would you consider any of the stories we've shared examples of DV? 

• Could this happen to someone like us? 

• Who does this happen to? 

Note to trainer: After Topic 3, facilitator should use term that respondents use. 

TOPIC 4: CAUSES 

Refer to any stories that have already been shared. If no good stories have been 

elicited, may use vignettes here. 

1. How do situations get "out of hand"? 

• Why do you think these things happen? 

• What if the couple is older? (Note to trainer...prompt ONLY if they are 

not talking about people in their age group.) 

• Are there different reasons for older people? 

2. Is this kind of behavior ever appropriate? 

• Can you think of a reason this kind of behavior would be justified? 

• Are there people who think its okay for people to behave this way with 

their spouses or partners? 

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been published by the Department. Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s) 

and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.
Domestic Violence Against Older Women NIJ#2002-WG-BS-0100 Technical Report 

TOPIC 5: TELLING SOMEONE 

Again, use stories told by group and/or vignettes to focus discussion. 

1. Do people talk about it when there is violence? 

• Do people in our age group talk about it with anyone? Who? 

• Do they tell everything? Is there some particular way they say it? 

• Do they leave anything out or add anything to the story, do you think? 

• Is this different for people who are older? How? 

2. Some people don’t tell...why do you think that is? 

3. Is there someone people might tell who is not a friend or relative? 

• Doctor or nurse 

• Pastor or priest 

• Help line 

• Police 

• Agencies – Social Services 

• Why this person? 

• Do you think there is someone like that who should be told? 

• Are there times when telling would absolutely not be the right thing to 

do? 

4. Where do you think someone like us generally finds out about people who can 

help? 

• Have you ever seen or heard information or advertisements about how 

people in bad or violent relationships can get help? 

• Do you think these are good resources for people our age who want to 

tell someone who is not a friend or relative? 

• Do you think most people our age know about these resources? 

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and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.
Domestic Violence Against Older Women NIJ#2002-WG-BS-0100 Technical Report 

TOPIC 6: GETTING HELP 

1. What happens if they tell a friend or family member about DV? 

• To them? 

• To the other person? 

• Are the consequences different for older people? 

• What’s the best thing that could happen? 

• What’s the worst thing that could happen? 

2. Does something different happen if they tell someone who is not a friend or 

family member? 

• To them? 

• To the other person? 

• Are the consequences different for older people? 

• What’s the best thing that could happen? 

• What’s the worst thing that could happen? 

TOPIC 7: CONSEQUENCES FOR PERPETRATORS 

1. What do you think happens to people who are violent with their spouses or 

partners? 

Use stories told and/or vignettes to discriminate between potential 

consequences for different levels of conflict and violence. 

• Is this what you think should happen? 

• What do YOU think should happen? 

• Is this different for people who are older? 

The Center on Aging of Florida International University 82 

This document is a research report submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice. This report has not 

been published by the Department. Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s) 

and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.
Domestic Violence Against Older Women NIJ#2002-WG-BS-0100 Technical Report 

APPENDIX B 

FACILITATOR TRAINING HANDBOOK 

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been published by the Department. Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s) 

and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.
This document is a research report submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice. This report has not 

been published by the Department. Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.
Description of the Pr

Description of the Pr

yMost research on elder 

abuse has focused on has focused on caregiver abuse and neglect rather than domestic violence. 

yWe want to know how 

older women think about violence and what solutions they feel might work for them. 

This document is a research report submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice. This report has not been published by the Department. Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.
Description of the Pr

Description of the Pr

yFocus groups of mid

older women 

yLearning about how 

describe conflict arelationships their abuse 

yLearning what they 

willing to do to protthemselves 

yLearning about the 

their own words. 

This document is a research report submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice. This report has not been published by the Department. Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.
Focus Groups Focus Groups

yGroups of 8-12 people, with o

and one recorder/process obs

yFacilitator uses guide or prot

sure the group discusses the interest to researchers. 

yFacilitator draws out respons

participants, and makes sure discussants have a chance to views without being judged. 

yThe recorder/observer takes 

recording equipment, watches between group member, and oassists the facilitator. 

yDiscussions are relatively fre

last about 1-2 hours. 

This document is a research report submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice. This report has not been published by the Department. Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.
Advantages of Focus G

Advantages of Focus G

yFocus groups are more efficient than 

since they allow several people to shapoints in a single session. 

yFocus groups allow for more free flow

information than surveys or “quantitamethodologies, and allow discussants in their own words. 

yPeer groups are sometimes

capable of eliciting informationfrom each other that an interviewer would not otherwise get. 

This document is a research report submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice. This report has not been published by the Department. Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.
Focus Grou

Focus Grou

Disadvantag

Disadvantag

yFocus groups are more e

interviews, since they alpeople to share their viesingle session. 

yFocus groups allow for m

flowing information than “quantitative” methodoloallow discussants to say their own words. 

yPeer groups are sometim

eliciting information frothat an interviewer wouotherwise get. 

This document is a research report submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice. This report has not been published by the Department. Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.
Before the Intervie

Before the Intervi

TAKE WITH YOyDigital recordeyCassette recoryWorking pens yTissues yCorrect IntervyMoney to pay p

This document is a research report submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice. This report has not been published by the Department. Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.
Before the Intervie

Before the Intervi

PREPARE THE ROOM: yRefreshments yEnough Chairs yClean tables yInterlopers ejected yKnow locations of 

bathrooms

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First Contact First Contact

yGive your name and the name

of the project (COSP Project) 

yIntroduce the recorder and 

explain their function 

yProvide brief project summary

(do not mention domesticviolence specifically!) 

yExplain use of aliases yExplain rules for how to

respond 

yExplain consent forms ySign consent forms 

This document is a research report submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice. This report has not been published by the Department. Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.
Facilitator & Recor

Facilitator & Recor

FACILITATORyFacilitate ratheyAsk questions yHelp the shy to yHelp the bold tyKeep us on topiyKeep us on time 

This document is a research report submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice. This report has not been published by the Department. Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.
Facilitator and Reco

Facilitator and Reco

RECORDERS RyMonitor recordyListen to discus

facilitator concwho is speaking 

yAssist facilitat

 Troubleshoo Watching pr Monitoring p

coverage 

yQuietly commu

facilitator if ne

This document is a research report submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice. This report has not been published by the Department. Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.
Facilitator and Reco

Facilitator and Reco

RECORDERS R

CONTINUED

yTrack whether eve

question has been 

yClue the facilitato

there has been a skip 

yClue the interview

there are group dyforming that the fmay not see. 

This document is a research report submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice. This report has not been published by the Department. Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.
Focus Group Rul

Focus Group Rul

yUse name before speaking yThe idea is to get all thoughts 

out...and... 

yAll thoughts are good thoughts! yWe are here to talk, to listen, 

but NOT to judge 

yWhat we say here, stays here yWe need everybody and truly 

want to hear what everyone has to say.

This document is a research report submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice. This report has not been published by the Department. Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.
Interviewers shou

Interviewers shou

Be as neutr

Reward discussion rather 

Interviewers should 

Interviewers should 

from:

Touching other than to shake hands Acting out (yelling, slamming furniture) Using profanity 

This document is a research report submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice. This report has not been published by the Department. Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.
Listening Skills Listening Skills

Good listening skills 

help interviewers: 

yProbe for more information when 

necessary 

yGauge the respondent’s level of comfo

discomfort with the questions 

yHear and understand the respondent’

that it is recorded correctly 

This document is a research report submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice. This report has not been published by the Department. Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.
Body Language Body Language

Non-verbal cues can be 

conveyed through:

yFacial expressionsyPosture yHand and foot movements yCommunicating what you want to 

with your body.

This document is a research report submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice. This report has not been published by the Department. Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.
Non-verbal Cues verbal Cues

Do use: Don’t uyThe therapist’s hum yUncleayThe traffic cop’s hand yLarge yThe pregnant pause 

Be aware of cultur

ySpanish “no”, the 

crowded, cheap... 

yEyes up...eyes do

This document is a research report submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice. This report has not been published by the Department. Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.
Avoid Creatin

Avoid Creatin

Facilitator Effe

Facilitator Effe

yDo not offer your own opi

the session 

yDo not display approval or 

through your tone of voicexpression, or side comme

yDo not discuss your own e

with respondents 

yDo not read questions usin

words instead of those wrschedule/protocol 

yDo not use words that mig

This document is a research report submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice. This report has not been published by the Department. Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.
Using the Focus Using the Focus

Group Schedule Group Schedule

yAsk questions in a natural

way rather than reading if you can. 

yUse a tone of voice that 

conveys assurance, interest,

and a professional mannerthat is neutral and nonjudgmental 

yCover every question

yFollow the natural order... 

This document is a research report submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice. This report has not been published by the Department. Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.
...The Natural Or

The Natural Or

yThe Focus Group Schedule is 

only. 

yIf discussion shifts naturally 

of the Schedule, allow it to d

 Mark the questions that ha

covered so you can return 

 Keep track of what has be

what has not 

yBe reluctant to leave product

yTry to steer only when discus

the research topic. 

ySteer as gently as possible an

infrequently 

This document is a research report submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice. This report has not been published by the Department. Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.
Using Probes Using Probes

On the schedule: Not on the yUse only if they don’t 

yGet clarific

come up naturally 

yAsk respon

yUse to give specific 

clarification of 

yAsk a neutr

questions 

This document is a research report submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice. This report has not been published by the Department. Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.
Short Feedback Phr

Short Feedback Phr

yI see... yUh-huh/UmyThank you yThanks 

This document is a research report submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice. This report has not been published by the Department. Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.
Long Feedback Phr

Long Feedback Phr

yThat’s 

useful/helpfulinformation 

yIt’s useful to get

your ideas on this 

yThanks, it’s

important to getyour opinion on that 

yI see, that’s

helpful to know 

This document is a research report submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice. This report has not been published by the Department. Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.
Taking Breaks Taking Breaks

Be aware of signs that may indicate that a break is needed: yFidgeting yNon-verbal behavior that might

mean the respondent is tired,restless or experiencing extreme emo

yNeed for a drink or snack so that med

can be taken 

yThis is a good time to check with the

Recorder about things to cover beforreturning 

This document is a research report submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice. This report has not been published by the Department. Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.
What about the respondent w

What about the respondent w

an “I don’t know” answ

an “I don’t know” answ

Consider what she might really 

The respondent.

ymay not un

question 

ymay be thin

her answer 

ydoesn’t wan

the questio

ydoesn’t hav

on the subj

This document is a research report submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice. This report has not been published by the Department. Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.
When talking to a pers

When talking to a pers

a hearing loss: a hearing loss:

yMake sure the respondent always has 

direct view of your face while you are 

yWhen communicating through interpr

look at the respondent, not at the int

ySpeak with a normal voice, neither sh

whispering is appropriate 

This document is a research report submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice. This report has not been published by the Department. Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.
When talking to a pers

When talking to a pers

a visual disability

a visual disability

ySpeak in a normal manner,

unless you have learned thatthe person also has a hearingloss 

yRead absolutely everything;

do not rely on visualinformation 

yIf other people enter the

room, always verballydescribe what is going on andwho is entering 

This document is a research report submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice. This report has not been published by the Department. Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.
When talking to a P

When talking to a P

with a Physical Disa

with a Physical Disa

yUse “perso

language 

yDo not hesi

the person’offered. 

yDo not exp

for the perof their dis

This document is a research report submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice. This report has not been published by the Department. Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.
About Elder Abuse 

About Elder Abuse 

Domestic Violenc

Domestic Violenc

Types of Abuse yPhysical ySexual yPsychological/emoyFinancial/materialyIntentional neglec

This document is a research report submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice. This report has not been published by the Department. Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.
Myths and Misconcep

Myths and Misconcep

• DV against older women is not a 

major problem in the U.S. 

• DV happens to them, not to us• We know everything we need to 

know about older abused women 

• DV against older women is a 

family matter 

• I know why DV happens

This document is a research report submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice. This report has not been published by the Department. Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.
About this Projec

About this Projec

The issue of do

violence agaiwomen has reslight notice elder abuse rMoreover, litdone to devecommunity printervention older women experience D

This document is a research report submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice. This report has not been published by the Department. Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.
About this Projec

About this Projec

Voices of older women about: yLanguage they use to name “it” 

and the behaviors associated 

yConsequences for perpetrators yHow they define DV

with “it” 

yCauses of DV yAttitudes toward reporting yDesirable/acceptable 

interventions 

yBarriers to help-seeking

This document is a research report submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice. This report has not been published by the Department. Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.
About this Projec

About this Projec

yTalking to non-victims & yWill do 30 one-on-one in

after focus groups

yWill meet with law enfor

providers regarding issu

yWill develop draft surve

quantitative data re: DV women 

yWill develop practice gu

law enforcement and comproviders 

This document is a research report submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice. This report has not been published by the Department. Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.
If you suspect a participan

If you suspect a participan

victim... victim...

yListen, but DO NOT PROBEyDO NOT make suggestions, 

recommendations 

yMake sure woman knows about 

information packet 

yOffer Pam Stack’s phone number 

(“would you like information about hoto contact...?”) 

yIf woman indicates she needs immedi

help, contact Pam Stack right away 

This document is a research report submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice. This report has not been published by the Department. Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.
Before Ending th

Before Ending th

Focus Group Focus Group

yCheck with 

Recorder fonot covered 

yOffer part

information regarding eland domesti

This document is a research report submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice. This report has not been published by the Department. Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.
yPay respondents

After the Focus Gro

After the Focus Gr

BEFORE RESPONDENTS LEAVE: yget receipt form signed yThank them for their participatioWHEN RESPONDENTS HAVE DEPyWrite down notes and impressionySave interview, and backup to a cyBreak tabs on cassettes 

This document is a research report submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice. This report has not been published by the Department. Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.
Facilitators have 

Facilitators have 

important job important job

yThe whole study 

hangs on how well you do your job. 

yNothing in the 

study is more important! 

This document is a research report submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice. This report has not been published by the Department. Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.
Domestic Violence Against Older Women NIJ#2002-WG-BS-0100 Technical Report 

APPENDIX C 

FOCUS GROUP PARTICIPANT INFORMATION PACKETS 

The Center on Aging of Florida International University 84 

This document is a research report submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice. This report has not 

been published by the Department. Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s) 

and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.
Domestic Violence:

Any Family, Any Age

About DomesticViolence 

and Resources in 

Miami-Dade County 

This information was compiled by 

The Center on Aging at Florida International University 

as part of a research grant from the National Institute of Justice 

(Project # NIJ 2002-WG-BX-0010) 

Page 1 

This document is a research report submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice. This report has not 

been published by the Department. Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s) 

and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.
Domestic Violence:

Any Family, Any Age

Domestic violence is not only for the young. It can occur in older families, 

too. This booklet discusses domestic violence and includes issues that are specific 

to older adults. 

Domestic violence can include not only physical violence, but emotional 

and financial abuse, as well. Domestic violence legally differs from elder abuse in 

that it is committed against a physically and mentally healthy adult and occurs at 

the hands of a spouse or companion. 

For many older victims of domestic violence, there has been ongoing 

violence for many years. Yet for others, it does not begin until later in life, often 

aggravated by the change in lifestyle that comes with retirement, declining 

physical and mental health, and reduced sexual ability. 

Regardless of which category you fall into, domestic violence is wrong, and it is 

not your fault. No one deserves to be hurt. 

Persons who may be included in domestic violence cases are: 

X wife or husband 

X parent of your child 

X family member 

X someone you have lived with as if a family 

If you know someone who is being abused, do not look the other way. 

X Let her/him know you are concerned about her/him. 

X Offer to listen. 

X Respect her/his choices, but encourage her/him to talk with professionals 

about safety issues. 

X Offer as much help as you can, but do not take risks with your own safety. 

Examples of help: transportation, a place to stay, a job, lending money. 

X Give her/him a copy of this safety planning worksheet. 

Page 2 

This document is a research report submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice. This report has not 

been published by the Department. Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s) 

and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.
What is Domestic Violence?


PHYSICAL ABUSE: 

• Infliction of physical pain or injury, physical coercion, confinement, 

restraining, burning, cutting, pushing, striking, slapping, kicking, 

pinching, or use of weapons.

PSYCHOLOGICAL ABUSE: 

• Demeaning you, name-calling, insulting, ignoring, humiliating, frightening, 

threatening, isolating, harassing, intimidating, denying you a home or 

personal possessions. 

SEXUAL ABUSE: 

• Sexually molesting you, forcing you to have sex when you say no, using 

weapons to coerce you into having sex, using weapons during sex. 

NEGLECT: 

• Intentionally withholding medication, shelter, food, personal hygiene 

products, or clothing; infliction of physical or emotional stress or injury; 

abandonment. 

If you have been forced to do something sexual that you didn't want to do or if 

you have been kept from food, medicine, or a doctor's care, you are a victim of 

domestic violence. It is not your fault. The abuser is responsible. There is 

someone who will listen and support you and your decisions. There are steps you 

can take to help end the abuse. If any of these things are happening to you, you 

do not have to face them alone. 

Is This Happening to You? 


X Do you feel isolated? Are you being deprived of contact with the outside 

world? 

X Are you being denied private space or time? 

X Are you being controlled and not allowed to make decisions for yourself? 

Page 3 

This document is a research report submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice. This report has not 

been published by the Department. Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s) 

and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.
X Is your spouse or companion withholding or mismanaging your scheduled 

medications? 

X Are you being deprived of good personal hygiene or proper cleanliness when 

you need assistance? 

X Does your spouse or companion make false accusations against you? 

X Is your spouse or companion verbally, mentally, emotionally, physically, or 

sexually abusing you? 

No one deserves to be abused. You have the right to feel safe 

in your own home. If you are not safe in your home, it is 

sometimes necessary to make changes to become safe again. 

WHAT ARE SOME OPTIONS YOU MAY CONSIDER? 


XCall the police in an emergency. 

XFile a police report about the violence. 

XCall the domestic violence hotline to talk, get information or ideas, find a 

shelter, or make a safety or escape plan. 

XHave the abuser ordered by the court to stay away from you by getting an 

Injunction for Protection. 

XSee a doctor for injuries (and consider having him/her write down the cause of 

the injuries). 

XTalk to a friend, family member, neighbor, or someone else for support and 

ask for help. 

XMake a personal safety plan. 

When violence does seem close, avoid the kitchen, bathroom, 

and rooms without any doors to the outside. Begin action on 

safety plan at any sign of trouble. 

Page 4 

This document is a research report submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice. This report has not 

been published by the Department. Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s) 

and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.
Planning for Safety 


WHO SHOULD CONSIDER MAKING A SAFETY PLAN? 

XLiving with an abuser - because the danger can occur at any time 

XPlanning to leave - because few abusers allow their victim to leave peacefully 

XLiving separately - because danger often increases after a survivor leaves or 

stops a relationship 

If you are living in an abusive situation, there are several precautions you can 

take to stay safe in your home and to be prepared to leave quickly if necessary. 

U Keep important phone numbers where you can get to them quickly and 

easily. 

U Keep any restraining orders or protective orders easily accessible. 

U Have an emergency contact you can turn to if or when the abuse recurs. 

U Keep important documents hidden in an easily accessible location in case 

you must leave quickly. These might include: 

9 your birth certificate, 

9 Insurance, Medicare, and Medicaid cards, 

9 bank account passbook, 

9 passport, 

9 Social Security card, 

9 power of attorney documents, 

9 financial documents, 

9 marriage license, 

9 the deed to your house. 

U Keep your money, medications, spare keys, and clothing readily accessible 

in case you must leave quickly. 

Page 5 

This document is a research report submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice. This report has not 

been published by the Department. Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s) 

and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.
_____________________________________ 

_____________________________________ 

_____________________________________ 

_____________________________________ 

_____________________________________ 

_____________________________________ 

U Take your glasses, hearing aids, and other personal items such as 

photographs when you leave. 

U Make financial arrangements to secure a personal bank account, credit 

cards, or a safety deposit box. 

U Make arrangements for a safe place to go if you are in danger. 

Safe Place #1 Address: 

Phone: 

Safe Place #2 Address: 

Phone: 

U Make arrangements for someone to give you a ride in case of an 

emergency. 

Emergency Ride Phone #1: 

Emergency Ride Phone #2: 

U Make arrangements to house your pets. 

U Develop an emergency signal with a friend or neighbor to let them know 

when you are in danger and need help. 

U Keep any evidence of physical abuse, such as ripped clothes and photos of 

bruises and injuries. 

U Keep a list with you at all times with your doctor’s name and phone 

number, the names of all of your medications, and the name of your 

drugstore. 

Emergency Telephone Numbers 


FLORIDA DOMESTIC VIOLENCE HOTLINE: 1-800-500-1119 

TTY: 1-800-621-4202 

ELDER ABUSE HOTLINE: 1-800-96-ABUSE (1-800-962-2873) 

ELDER HELPLINE: 1-800-96-ELDER (1-800-963-5337) 

EMERGENCY SERVICES: 911 

Page 6 

This document is a research report submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice. This report has not 

been published by the Department. Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s) 

and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.
Using telephone services or a special device may play a role in 

getting help or documenting threats. 

Some telephone companies offer services that may help domestic violence survivors. 

These services may also be used by abusers to harass, stalk, threaten, or find 

survivors. Most require phone company charges. Some of the services include: 

Operator Assistance: Operators can dial police and other emergency numbers if you 

cannot do it or do not know the number. If you do not have some of the services 

listed below, operators in your area can advise you of other services if they exist. 

Voice Mail: Allows you to have a phone number and get messages without answering 

the phone. No one has to know it's just voice mail. 

Caller ID: Shows and records the numbers that call your phone. You have to buy a 

special electronic box to plug into the phone. 

Call Block: Keeps caller ID from recognizing your number. 

Trap and Trace: Local telephone companies may be able to mechanically check 

repetitive calls. This allows for outside documentation of violations of protective 

injunctions and stalking. 

Call Tracing: Dialing *57 on a touchtone operated phone or 1157 on a rotary phone 

verifies to the police the last call into your number. 

Last Number Redial: Dialing *69 on a touchtone operated phone or 1169 on a rotary 

phone obtains the last number called and can dial back to the caller. 

Collect calls and calls billed to another number: Use caution when making these 

calls. They can be traced. If calling the batterer, make these calls from payphones out 

of your neighborhood or town. Consider buying a pre-paid calling card. 

The information above was prepared by FCADV in cooperation with the U.S. Department of 

Justice. It was originally published February 15, 1999 as a project supported by grant No. 

MJ940 awarded by the Violence Against Women Grants Office, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. 

Department of Justice. Information contained within this brochure do not necessarily reflect the 

official position or policies of the State of Florida, the U.S. Department of Justice, or any other 

agency of the state or federal government. Reprinted on FCADV website October 14, 2002. 

Page 7 

This document is a research report submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice. This report has not 

been published by the Department. Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s) 

and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.
Shelter Resources in Miami-Dade County 


NOTE: SHELTERS OFFER RESIDENT AND NON-RESIDENT SERVICES. 

Metro-Dade Advocates for Victims, Safespace (North) 

Serving Miami-Dade County and 

 Serving the cities of Miami, Coral Gables, Hialeah, Homestead, and Opa Locka 

 Hotline numbers: (305) 758-2546 

 7831 NE Miami Court, Miami, FL 33138 

 Administration: (305 )758-2804, ext. 224 

 FAX: (305) 756-1347 

 pls@miamidade.gov

Metro-Dade Advocates for Victims, Safespace (South) 

Serving Miami-Dade County for South Miami, Kendall, and Pinecrest and all 

points south, and Monroe County 

49 West Mowry Street 

Homestead, FL 33030 

Hotline (305) 758-2546 

Administration: (305) 247-4249 

Women in Distress of Broward County 

Serving Broward County and 

Serving the cities of Ft. Lauderdale, Hallandale, Hollywood, and Pompano 

Hotline number: (954)761-1133 

PO Box 676 

Ft Lauderdale, FL 33302 

Phone: (954) 760-9800 

FAX: (954) 687-0733 

Aid to Victims of Domestic Abuse 

Serving Palm Beach County and 

Serving the cities of Delray Beach, Boca Raton, Boynton Beach, and West Palm 

Beach 

Hotline numbers: (561)265-2900 or 1-800-355-8547 

PO Box 667 

Delray Beach, FL 33447 

Page 8 

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been published by the Department. Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s) 

and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.
Congratulations!

You have just taken the first step toward creating a safe home for yourself and your children by reading this brochure. The next step is to seek 

the assistance of organizations listed in the following list of resources, or to make your own list of resources in your area. 

RESOURCES 

National Domestic Violence Hotline 

Interpreters for various languages are available 

1-800-799-SAFE or 

1-800-799-7233 

Originally written by Donna Norton and produced by the Family Violence Prevention Fund (FUND). Updated by Minty Siu Chung of AYUDA Inc., and Leni Marin of the FUND. Funding provided in part by the San Francisco Commission on the Status of Women. This translation was funded by The California Department of Health Services. For more in depth coverage, consult the manual, Domestic Violence in Immigrant and Refugee Communities: Asserting the Rights of Battered Women. 

This brochure and manual can be ordered from the 

Family Violence Prevention Fund 

383 Rhode Island Street, Suite 303 

San Francisco, CA 94103-5133 

415/252-8900 

Camera-ready versions of this brochure can also be ordere. The publisher 

grants its permission for you to reproduce this brochure in full. 

You Have A Right

To Be Free From

Violence In Your

Home

Questions 

& 

Answers 

For Immigrant

and

Refugee Women

WHAT IS “DOMESTIC VIOLENCE”? 

Is your partner extremely jealous and does he discourage you from speaking to friends or family? Does he prevent you from getting a job or learning English? Has your partner ever threatened to take away your children? Has he told you that he will have you deported? Have you ever been hit by your partner? Has he forced you to have sex when you did not want to? Has he ever threatened to harm you with weapons like guns, knives or other objects? Does your partner claim that his violence is your fault? Has he ever told you his violence is not serious? Does he blame drugs or alcohol for his violent behavior? Does he make you feel like you are crazy? Does he call you names that are demeaning to you? If you answered yes to some of these questions, you are not alone. Many other women like you are in the same situation. Your partner’s behavior is not your fault. Help is available to you. Domestic violence tends to get worse over time. It does not go away on its own. This brochure will outline some things you can do to protect yourself and your children from continuing violence. This brochure will refer to the abuser as “he.” Some women are abused by other women. While not all the legal remedies will apply to lesbian relationships, this brochure will still provide some basic information about things you can do to make yourself safe. 

WHAT CAN I DO? 

There are a variety of services available to assist you to stop the violence in your home: shelters, hospitals, police, legal aid and other community services. 

SHOULD I LEAVE MY HOME IF I AM IN DANGER? 

YES. Go to a friend’s house or a battered women’s shelter. Shelters are usually free and will often have information about other services available in your community. If you stay with a friend or a family member, keep your location 

sectioIf ydresucvisummelicebacan alieinfyou itemtakYEescleamacrispeabuAlwdena cand If yrelplarepNaA neachitioyoufroyoulegordto 

This document is a research report submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice. This report has not been published by the Department. Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.
your children away or take them to his home country, you

should: CAN I GET A PROTECTION ORDER 1. Immediately get a custody order. The order can include 

EVEN IF I AM NOT A U.S. CITIZEN? an order to prohibit your husband/intimate partner from I AM A REFUGEE. AM I ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE WELFARE AND MEDICAID? 

removing the children from the country in which you 

YES. You do not need to be a citizen or legal permanent live. In the first five years after they arrive in the United States, If y

resident to get a protection order. A lawyer may be helpful, refugees are eligible for Food Stamps, Temporary Aid to po

but it is not necessary to have one in order to get a protec- 2. If the children are U.S. citizens, send a copy of this Needy Families, Medicaid and other public benefit pro- ent

tion order. Applications are generally available at court- order to the embassy of your husband’s/ intimate part- grams to the same extent as US citizens. Most refugees who ed 

houses, women’s shelters. legal services offices, and some ner’s home country and a copy to the U.S. Department have been in the United States for five years or more will no cripolice stations. Civil courts generally do not ask about a of State to prevent the issuance of passports and visas longer be eligible for Food Stamps. Eligibility for Medicaid, woman’s immigration status when she asks for a protection for the children. Temporary Aid to Needy Families, and general assistance If y

order, a child custody order, or a dissolution. Ask a legal by refugees who have been in the United States for five graservices attorney, i.e., attorneys who provide free legal ser- 3. Give a copy of the order to the children’s schools and tell years or more varies from state to state. Please consult an gra

vices to low income individuals, or an immigrant advocacy the schools not to release the children to anyone but immigration or domestic violence advocate in your area. the

group in your area about the policy in your court. yourself. saf

HOW CAN I GET LAWFUL PERMANENT RESIDENCY WITHOUT MY HUSBAND’S HELP? 

The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) creates two ways for women married to US citizens or lawful permanent residents to get their residency. The first is called “selfpetitioning.” Instead of depending upon your husband to apply for your residency with INS, you can apply on your own for yourself and your children. Your husband plays no role in the process and does not have to know you are applying for residency. Because the law is complicated, you should not go to the INS without first consulting a shelter worker, immigration attorney, or one of the agencies listed on the back of this brochure for assistance. The second method for obtaining residency is called “cancellation of removal.” This method is only available to you if you are in, or can be placed into, deportation proceedings. If you qualify for cancellation, the court may waive your deportation and grant you residency. However, because you must be in deportation proceedings before you can apply, be certain to see an immigration attorney before proceeding. If you don’t seem to qualify under VAWA, don’t despair. There may be other ways you could get immigration status, such as a new visa Congress has created for crime victims. The best thing to do is to discuss your situation wth an immigration or domestic violence advocate (do NOT call INS.) 

4. Make sure that you have recent photos, passports and 

birth certificates for the children. Keep a list of addresses and phone numbers of your husband’s/intimate partner’s friends and relatives in his home country. 

HOW CAN I SUPPORT MYSELF AND MY CHILDREN IF I LEAVE MY HUSBAND? 

The law requires that the father of your children support them, even if you are living apart, even if you were never married to him and without regard to immigration status. You should contact a family lawyer or a domestic violence advocate to find out how to obtain child support in your state. Some married women may also be eligible to receive spousal support or alimony. Lawful permanent residents may use their “green cards” or resident alien cards to demonstrate their eligibility to work. Refugees and other immigrants must apply for authorization to work. An immigration attorney will be able to tell you whether you are eligible for work authorization. It is very important that you do not use false papers to work or make false claims of United States citizenship. 

I AM A LEGAL PERMANENT RESIDENT. AM I ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE WELFARE AND MEDICAID? 

I AM UNDOCUMENTED. AM I ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE WELFARE AND MEDICAID? 

If you are a battered undocumented woman whose husband has applied for legal permanent residency on your behalf or if you have applied for legal permanent residency under the Violence Against Women Act, you are eligible for the same benefits as a legal permanent resident. (See above.) If you are nct eligible to apply for legal permanent residency, you will be ineligible for most forms of welfare. However, you are still eligible for emergency Medicaid. Contact an immigration or domestic violence advocate to help you find “safe” hospitals that will not report your undocumented status. You are also eligible for services from community groups, such as food distribution by churches and assistance from domestic violence shelters. 

ARE MY US CITIZEN CHILDREN ELIGIBLE FOR PUBLIC BENEFITS AND MEDICAID? 

YES. Even if you are undocumented, your US citizen children are eligible for public benefits just as other citizen children are. However. if you are undocumented, DO NOT reveal your immigration status when applying for benefits on behalf of your children, even if you are asked. The welfare office does not need to know what your status is in 

you imnity SeunmaIf yis chis It and thaDo lawdencanserlist

Some legal permanent residents are eligible for Food order to give benefits to your citizen children.

MY HUSBAND IS THREATENING TO Stamps, although most legal permanent residents will no

longer be eligible after August 1997. Eligibility for TAKE MY CHILDREN AWAY IF I LEAVE Medicaid, Temporary Aid to Needy Families, and general HIM. WHAT CAN I DO? assistance by legal permanent residents varies from state tostate. Please consult an immigration or domestic violence If your husband/intimate partner is threatening to take advocate in your area. 

This document is a research report submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice. This report has not been published by the Department. Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.
Elder Abuse


Resources for Older Adults in 

Miami-Dade County 

This information was compiled by 

The Center on Aging at Florida International University 

as part of a research grant from the National Institute of Justice 

(Project # NIJ 2002-WG-BX-0010) 

This document is a research report submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice. This report has not 

been published by the Department. Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s) 

and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.
About Elder Abuse

No one wants to be abused. Sometimes it just 

happens suddenly. Sometimes it's been going on 

for a long time. Other times, you just don't know if 

there is anything you can do to stop it. 

Abuse can happen to anyone, and it can take many

forms. 

• Abuse can be physical, if someone hits you, pushes or shoves you, or 

treats you roughly. 

• Abuse can be psychological, if someone calls you names, harasses 

you, or threatens you. 

• Abuse can be financial, if someone steals your personal belongings or 

uses your money as his or her own. 

Unfortunately, the most common abusers are the people you should be 

able to trust, such as your spouse, family members, and caregivers. Abusers 

can also be strangers on the street or a nice young person who befriends you 

over the phone. 

What You Should Know 

Some precautions you can take to avoid becoming a victim of abuse: 

Stay Sociable 

• Maintain and increase your network of friends. 

• Keep in contact with old friends and neighbors if you move to a new 

address. 

• Have a "good buddy" you can talk to openly. 

• Have friends come to visit you at home. 

Stay Active 

• Accept opportunities to do new things. 

• Volunteer or join a group or organization. 

• Have regular medical, dental, or beauty appointments. 

Page 2 

This document is a research report submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice. This report has not 

been published by the Department. Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s) 

and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.
Stay Organized 

• Keep your belongings neat and orderly. 

• Make sure others are aware that you know where you keep everything. 

• Open and post your own mail. 

• Arrange to have your Social Security or pension check deposited 

directly to yourbank account rather than mailed. 

• Use an answering machine to screen your phone calls. 

Stay Informed 

• Talk to a lawyer about arrangements, such as powers of attorney for 

health and finances, that you can make now for possible future 

disability. 

• Get legal advice before making arrangements for someone to take care 

of you in exchange for your property, possessions, or money. 

• Review your will periodically. 

• Know where to go for help if you think you are being abused. 

• Ask for help when you need it. 

Some Don'ts 

• Don't live with a person who has a background of violent behavior or 

alcohol or drug abuse. 

• Don't leave your home unattended. Notify the police if you are going to 

be away for a long time. 

• Don't leave cash, jewelry, or prized possessions lying about. 

• Don't sign any document unless someone you trust has reviewed it. 

• Don't allow anyone to keep from you the details of your finances or 

property management. 

If you think you are being abused—in any way, by

anyone—feel confident that you can get help. Some of the

agencies in your community you can contact are: 

• Adult protective services office. Many states have 

instituted a 24-hour, toll-free number for receiving 

reports of abuse. Calls are confidential. In Florida, the 

Elder Abuse Hotline number is 1-800-962-2873. 

• State unit on aging or area agency on aging. The Elder 

Helpline phone number in Miami, Florida is 305-670-

4357, TDD 305-670-7721. 

The bottom 

line: 

you are

being

abused, 

there are 

to go for

help. 

If you think 

many places 

Page 3 

This document is a research report submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice. This report has not 

been published by the Department. Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s) 

and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.
• Law enforcement agencies such as police department, district attorney's 

office, sheriff's department. Miami-Dade Police Department Elder 

Abuse and Domestic Violence Units: 305-418-7200. 

• State long-term care ombudsman's office (for help with situations 

related to nursing homes, assisted living facilities and adult family care 

homes. Long-Term Care Ombudsman Council of North Dade: 305-626-

6144. Long-Term Care Ombudsman Council of South Dade and 

Monroe Counties: 305-663-2085. 

REPORTING ABUSE/NEGLECT/EXPLOITATION TO THE 

FLORIDA ABUSE HOTLINE 

BE PREPARED TO PROVIDE: 

1. Victim name, address or location, approximate age, race and sex; 

2. Physical, mental or behavioral indications that the person is infirm or 

disabled; 

3. Signs or indications of harm or injury, including a physical description if 

possible; 

4. Relationship of the alleged perpetrator to the victim, if possible. If the 

relationship is unknown, a report will still be taken if other reporting 

criteria are met. 

THREE WAYS TO MAKE A REPORT: 

X TELEPHONE:1 - 800 - 96ABUSE (1-800-962-2873) OR TDD (Telephone 

Device for the Deaf): 1-800-453-5145 

X FAX: 1 (800) 914-0004 

X VOICE MAIL MESSAGE: 1 (800) 770-0953

When lines are busy and you are unable to wait, you may leave the report 

information in the voice mailbox. It is extremely difficult for hotline 

counselors to attempt call-backs so IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT YOU LISTEN 

CAREFULLY AND LEAVE COMPLETE INFORMATION AS REQUESTED 

ABOVE OR A REPORT MAY NOT BE TAKEN. You have five minutes to 

leave the information. 

NOTIFICATION OF REPORT: 

• Telephone reporters will always be told prior to concluding your conversation, 

whether the information provided has been accepted as a report. 

Page 4 

This document is a research report submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice. This report has not 

been published by the Department. Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s) 

and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.
Immigration

and Violence

Against Women

Resources for Immigrants in 

Miami-Dade County 

This information was compiled by 

The Center on Aging at Florida International University 

as part of a research grant from the National Institute of Justice 

(Project # NIJ 2002-WG-BX-0010) 

This document is a research report submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice. This report has not 

been published by the Department. Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s) 

and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.
Immigration and Violence Against Women 


REFUGEES 

The immigrant population within Florida is continuously expanding. These 

immigrants face many barriers when they claim Florida as their residence. Many 

battered immigrant women face three primary barriers. First, as in all domestic 

violence situations, their batterers isolate them from family and friends. In addition, 

their situation is compounded with the issues of race, language, and cultural barriers 

which serve to magnify the isolation of battered immigrant women. For example, 

when they are originally from countries in which political repression is acute, they 

often exhibit a profound fear of law enforcement, criminal justice professionals, and 

the government. Most often, battered immigrant women see themselves as the mercy 

of the batterer particularly when the batterer uses threats of deportation as a means 

of control. 

If you are a Refugee or Asylee or if you are an advocate for someone who is, 

please note that refugees and asylees may adjust status on their own regardless of 

whether their spouse/sponsor cooperates with the INS. This means that a refugee's 

sponsor/spouse may not withdraw his/her sponsorship for the refugee's immigration 

and that the refugee/asylee may adjust status when they become eligible whether 

their spouse/sponsor adjusts status or not. Refugees are also eligible for public 

benefits and refugee services. 

Shelters in Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties provide the Hispanic 

and Haitian-Creole communities with many services, including: translation services, 

injunction assistance, information & referral, safety planning, and education/training 

programs to a variety of civic & community based organizations. 

FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES, 

OFFICE OF REFUGEE SERVICES 

Refugees are admitted each year subject to an established numerical limit, 

generally in the range of 80,000 to 90,000 individuals. Refugees are identified 

internationally by the United Nation High Commission on Refugees and processed 

for admission by the INS. Once approved to travel, the U.S. State Department 

contracts with voluntary agencies to arrange their travel and initial resettlement. The 

voluntary agencies work through local affiliates to resettle refugee clients. Cuban 

Page 2 

This document is a research report submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice. This report has not 

been published by the Department. Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s) 

and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.
and Haitian Entrants, as defined in the Refugee Education Assistance Act, are also 

eligible for refugee services. 

State, local and private agencies have developed linkages to provide federally 

funded services to refugees/entrants and specific classes of legal aliens. Governor 

Graham, by Executive Order, established the Secretary of HRS (now known as the 

Department of Children of Families) as the State Refugee Coordinator. The State 

Refugee Coordinator’s main purpose is administrative and operational coordination 

of federally funded refugee and immigration-related services, federal immigration 

policy, and efforts to obtain and maintain federal funding. The function of Refugee 

Services is to provide assistance to refugees of all nationalities and Cuban and 

Haitian entrants. 

Resources for Refugees in Miami-Dade County 

Florida Immigrant Advocacy Center Church World Service 

3000 Biscayne Blvd., Suite 400 

Miami, Florida 33137 

(305) 573-1106 

5040 NW 7th Street; Suite #920 

Miami, Florida 33126 

(305) 774-6770 

Catholic Charities Legal Services 

7101 Biscayne Blvd 

Miami, Florida 33138 

(305) 758-3301 

HOW TO APPLY FOR IMMIGRATION BENEFITS AS A 

BATTERED SPOUSE OR CHILD: Excerpts from the Violence Against 

Women Act FAQ sheet provided by INS. 

Generally, U.S. citizens (USC) and Lawful Permanent Residents (LPRs) file 

an immigrant visa petition with the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) on 

behalf of a spouse or child, so that these family members may emigrate to or remain 

in the United States. INS Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative is filed by the 

USC/LPR, the petitioner, on behalf of the family member who is the beneficiary. 

The petitioner controls when or if the petition is filed. Unfortunately, some U.S. 

citizens and LPRs misuse their control of this process to abuse their family 

members, or by threatening to report them to INS. As a result, most battered 

immigrants are afraid to report the abuse to the police or other authorities. 

Page 3 

This document is a research report submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice. This report has not 

been published by the Department. Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s) 

and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.
Under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) passed by Congress in 

1994, the spouses and children of United States citizens or lawful permanent 

residents (LPR) may self-petition to obtain lawful permanent residency. The 

immigration provisions of VAWA allow certain battered immigrants to file for 

immigration relief without the abuser's assistance or knowledge, in order to seek 

safety and independence from the abuser. Victims of domestic violence should 

know that help is available to them through the National Domestic Violence 

Hotline on 1-800-799-7233 or 1-800-787-3224 [TDD] for information about 

shelters, mental health care, legal advice and other types of assistance, including 

information about self-petitioning for immigration status. 

WHAT ARE THE BASIC REQUIREMENTS? 

The self-petitioning spouse: 

X Must be legally married to the U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident batterer. 

A self-petition may be filed if the marriage was terminated by the abusive 

spouse’s death within the two years prior to filing. A self-petition may also be 

filed if the marriage to the abusive spouse was terminated, within the two years 

prior to filing, by divorce related to the abuse. 

X Must have been battered in the United States unless the abusive spouse is an 

employee of the United States government or a member of the uniformed services 

of the United States. 

X Must have been battered or subjected to extreme cruelty during the marriage, or 

must be the parent of a child who was battered or subjected to extreme cruelty by 

the U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident spouse during the marriage. 

X Is required to be a person of good moral character. 

X Must have entered into the marriage in good faith, not solely for the purpose of 

obtaining immigration benefits. 

If victim is not married to a LPR or a U.S. Citizen? 

X May be eligible to file for U-Visas (crime victim visas), but U-Visa regulations 

have not yet been written and the forms have not yet been developed. 

X Immigrants with children who were born in the U.S. may be at an advantage. 

X In some cases, they may be eligible for political or gender-based asylum, 

depending on the country of origin and conditions they can be expected to face if 

they return. 

Page 4 

This document is a research report submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice. This report has not 

been published by the Department. Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s) 

and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.
Undocumented immigrants who are not married to LPRs or U.S. Citizens: 

X May be eligible to file for U-Visas (crime victim visas), but U-Visa regulations 

have not yet been written and the forms have not yet been developed. 

X Immigrants with children who were born in the U.S. may be at an advantage. 

X In some cases, they may be eligible for political or gender-based asylum, 

depending on the country of origin and conditions they can be expected to face if 

they return. 

X These will be the hardest to assist and you should help prepare them in case their 

petition is denied. 

Refugees and Asylees: 

X Refugees and Asylees are eligible for public benefits. 

X Refugee and Asylee spouses retain their status and can adjust status on their own 

a) regardless of whether they remain married to their spouse, and b) even if the 

spouse does not adjust status. 

X There are many public programs, particularly in Florida, dedicated to serving 

Refugees and Asylees, including the Haitian Refugee domestic violence program 

in Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach Counties. 

Victims of Trafficking (non-immigrant status): 

X When VAWA was reauthorized in 2000, it was attached to the Trafficking 

Victims Protection Act, which formally made trafficking in persons a crime by 

combining slavery laws with laws regarding organized crime. 

X Trafficking victims are generally used for sexual or labor purposes and their 

immigration papers are often held hostage too, if they have immigration papers at 

all. 

X Victims of trafficking are eligible for a T-non-immigrant Visa, which allows them 

to remain in the United States if they can prove that they will suffer if they return 

to their home country and if they cooperate in the prosecution of their captors. 

This is a difficult visa to get, and it does not grant immigrant status, though it 

does give work authorization and public benefits eligibility and refugee services 

eligibility. 

Page 5 

This document is a research report submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice. This report has not 

been published by the Department. Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s) 

and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.
WHAT ABOUT LEGAL ASSISTANCE? 

Florida Immigrant Advocacy Center: LUCHA, a Women's Project 

LUCHA: A Women's Legal Project is a membership organization which 

helps low income immigrant women and children overcome domestic abuse and 

empowers them to become active in the broader community. The word lucha in 

Spanish means "the struggle." LUCHA assists battered immigrant women with their 

individual struggles, while providing the vehicle for them to become involved in a 

larger struggle on behalf of other women. 

LUCHA represents battered immigrant women married to US citizens or 

legal permanent residents and assists these women in legalizing their immigration 

status without the cooperation or participation of the abuser under the 1994 Violence 

Against Women Act (VAWA). LUCHA is the only project in Florida specializing in 

representation of battered immigrant women under the VAWA's immigration 

provisions. While LUCHA focuses in VAWA, LUCHA also provides representation 

to battered women who may have immigration relief under other laws. 

You can contact FIAC's LUCHA Project at (305)573-1106. 

AREN'T IMMIGRANTS INELIGIBLE FOR PUBLIC BENEFITS? 

Public Benefits Eligibility for Immigrant Victims of Domestic Violence 

After 5 years in the U.S. and 40 quarters of work requirements, immigrants 

may be eligible for TANF. There are exceptions. Victims of domestic violence 

with approved VAWA self-petitions, victims of trafficking, and refugees and 

asylees are all eligible for public benefits. Click on the link for more comprehensive 

information regarding immigrant eligibility for public benefits. 

Page 6 

This document is a research report submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice. This report has not 

been published by the Department. Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s) 

and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.
Domestic Violence Against Older Women NIJ#2002-WG-BS-0100 Technical Report 

APPENDIX D 

DRAFT SURVEY INSTRUMENT 

The Center on Aging of Florida International University 85 

This document is a research report submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice. This report has not 

been published by the Department. Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s) 

and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.
Domestic Violence Against Older Women NIJ#2002-WG-BS-0100 Technical Report 

Response and Intervention for Older Women 

who Experience Domestic Violence 

Draft Survey Tool 

Prepared for 

The National Institute of Justice 

by 

The Center on Aging 

of Florida International University 

NIJ #2002-WG-BX-0100 

April 2005 

Burton D. Dunlop, Ph.D., Principal Investigator 

Richard Beaulaurier, Ph.D., Co-Principal Investigator 

Laura R. Seff, MBA, Co-Investigator 

Fred L. Newman, Ph.D., Consulting Investigator 

Neena Malik, Ph.D., Consulting Investigator 

The Center on Aging 

3000 NE 151 Street, AC1-234 

North Miami, FL 33181 

Tel: 305-919-5550 ♦ Fax: 305-919-5585 

The Center on Aging of Florida International University 86 

This document is a research report submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice. This report has not 

been published by the Department. Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s) 

and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.
Domestic Violence Against Older Women NIJ#2002-WG-BS-0100 Technical Report 

Section A: Indicators of Domestic Abuse and Barriers to Help-Seeking 

Directions: On a scale of 1 to 5, please indicate how often in your current relationship with a spouse or 

intimate partner you have the thoughts reflected by each statement: 

1=Never 2=Sometimes 3=About Half the Time 4=More Often Than Not 5=All The Time 

Isolation 

This person doesn’t like me talking to other people. 

This is the only person in my life I talk to. 

This is the only person in my life I spend time with. 

This person makes it difficult for me to spend time with my friends. 

This person makes it difficult for me to spend time with my family. 

This person makes it difficult for me to get out and do things I enjoy. 

I don’t feel attached to anyone except for this person. 

Jealousy 

I have no privacy from this person inside my house. 

When I go out my partner accuses me of meeting other men. 

My partner gets angry if I go out by myself, even for a short time. 

My partner would be angry if he learned I had been talking with another man. 

My partner would be angry if he learned I had been talking to anyone he does not know. 

He would be concerned if he learned I had been talking to any of his friends when he was not around. 

When I leave the house this person is with me. 

This person follows me when we are not together. 

He doesn’t like me to go places without him. 

When I talk on the telephone my partner interrupts. 

Intimidation 

I am afraid of this person. 

If my partner asks me to do something, I’m afraid of the consequences if I say no. 

My partner would hurt me if I told anyone about the problems between us. 

This person would hurt me if I tell anyone about any problems I have with him. 

Talking with outsiders will make my partner more abusive to me. 

If I upset my partner I know that he will abuse me. 

If I upset my partner I know that he will hurt me. 

If I upset my partner I know he will say hurtful or threatening things to me. 

My partner will abuse me even if I try not to upset him. 

I am careful not to do anything that will upset my partner. 

I feel forced to engage in unwanted sexual activity with this person. 

My partner gets angry about who I talk to, how I dress or even who I look at. 

He makes me feel unsafe even in my own home. (WEB) 

He can scare me without laying a hand on me. (WEB) 

I try not to rock the boat because I am afraid of what he might do. (WEB) 

He has a look that goes straight through me and terrifies me. (WEB) 

My partner threatens me about things like deportation or preventing contact with our children. 

Even when I am at work I am afraid my partner will do something bad to me. 

My partner won’t allow me to pursue my own interests. 

The Center on Aging of Florida International University 87 

This document is a research report submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice. This report has not 

been published by the Department. Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s) 

and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.
Domestic Violence Against Older Women NIJ#2002-WG-BS-0100 Technical Report 

1=Never 2=Sometimes 3=About Half the Time 4=More Often Than Not 5=All The Time 

My partner holds me back from my personal goals. 

Protecting Family 

I have to choose between what is best for me and what is best for my family. 

I have to choose between my safety and what is best for other people I care about. 

No matter what this person does to me, the most important thing is to keep the family together. 

I have to choose between what is best for me and what is best for my partner. 

I took a vow to stay with the person and I plan to keep that vow no matter what happens. 

Something bad will happen to someone I care about if I tell anyone about how this person treats me. 

My being there keeps others safer from him. 

This person would hurt someone I care about if I tried to leave. 

I don’t want the authorities to make decisions about my family. 

Self-Blame 

I deserve it when this person hurts me. 

If I just do what he says, this person will stop hurting me. 

When this person gets angry at me I believe I deserve it. 

People who know us would think its my fault if I told them how this person treats me. 

This person only hurts me when I do something wrong. 

If I really wanted this person to stop hurting me I would just leave him. 

This person hurts me because I let him. 

If I just tried harder this person wouldn’t be angry at me so often. 

If I told anyone about the problems I have with this person they would think badly of me for continuing the 

relationship. 

Powerlessness 

I will have nowhere to live if I am not with this person. 

I will not have enough money to get by if I am not with this person. 

I will lose everything if I leave this person. 

If I tell someone about my problems, they may decide to put me in a nursing home or some other place where I 

don’t want to go. 

If I asked for help, no one would believe me about the problems I have with this person. 

If I asked my family for help, they would not believe me about the problems I have with my partner. 

If I asked my friends for help, they would not believe me about the problems I have with my partner. 

If I asked a pastor, priest, or rabbi for help, they would not believe me about the problems I have with my 

partner. 

If I asked the police for help, they would not believe me about the problems I have with my partner. 

No one will take care of my basic living needs like food and shelter if I am not with this person. 

This person would never allow me to leave him. 

This person would never allow me to end my relationship with him. 

If I tell someone about my problems, I will not get to decide what happens to me after that. 

If I tell someone about my problems, I will not get to decide what happens to my family after that. 

If I don’t take care of my partner there is no one else who would. 

If I don’t take care of my partner there is no one else who could. 

Without my partner’s help I can not provide things like food, housing or transportation for myself. 

Without my partner’s help I can not provide things like food, housing or transportation for other people I take 

care of. 

The Center on Aging of Florida International University 88 

This document is a research report submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice. This report has not 

been published by the Department. Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s) 

and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.
Domestic Violence Against Older Women NIJ#2002-WG-BS-0100 Technical Report 

1=Never 2=Sometimes 3=About Half the Time 4=More Often Than Not 5=All The Time 

I need this person to make sure that no one else can do bad things to me. 

I feel like this person keeps me prisoner (WEB) 

This person makes me feel like I have no control over my life. 

I feel controlled by this person. 

I just need to be with a man no matter what he does to me. 

Spirituality 

I have to accept the way this person treats me because God has given me this burden. 

This person would not hurt me unless it was God’s will. 

Hopelessness 

Even when things are bad with this person, I know he can’t help doing what he does. 

A woman my age has no choice but to tolerate abuse by her partner. 

When an older woman has lived with abuse for a long time, there’s really nothing she can do about it. 

As long as my partner doesn’t hit me I think other kinds of abuse are okay. 

Problems in relationships are not really bad unless there is physical violence. 

There is no place to go to get the kind of help I want. 

There’s no place for someone like me to get help for the problems I have with this person. 

I know there are places that help women whose husbands abuse them, but they are for younger women. 

If my partner were abusing me, I would not know how to find a program that could help me. 

Programs for battered women would not be right for me. 

They can’t accommodate women my age in domestic violence shelters. 

Unless my partner hurts me physically I am not eligible for any help. 

I know how to find places or services that are available to help women in my situation. 

I wouldn’t know how to find any places or services that are available to help women in my situation. 

I believe my partner will change for the better some day. 

I believe it’s normal for a man to beat a woman. 

No matter what he does to me I’ve already invested too many years in this relationship to end it now. 

I’ve already invested too many years in this relationship to end it now. 

No matter how bad things got I could never live in a place like a shelter. 

No matter how bad things got I could never live in a place just for older people like a nursing home or group 

home. 

There is no where I could go to be safe from my partner. 

I believe my partner can find me and hurt me no matter where I go. 

My partner would kill me if I end my relationship with him. 

When things are bad with this person, there’s no way to make it better. 

You can’t really change things in a relationship at our age. 

If I tell my family about any problems I have with this person they will take his side against me. 

If I tell our friends about the problems I have with my partner they will take his side against me. 

If I tell our priest, pastor or rabbi about the problems I have with my partner they will take his side against me. 

If I tell the police about the problems I have with my partner they will take his side against me. 

If I leave, there is no place I can go where he would not find me. 

Secrecy 

I believe that what happens in the family, stays in the family. 

The Center on Aging of Florida International University 89 

This document is a research report submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice. This report has not 

been published by the Department. Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s) 

and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.
Domestic Violence Against Older Women NIJ#2002-WG-BS-0100 Technical Report 

1=Never 2=Sometimes 3=About Half the Time 4=More Often Than Not 5=All The Time 

A woman my age should not talk with people outside the family if she is abused by her partners. 

A woman my age should not tell anyone if she is abused by her partner. 

Even if it happens, a woman my age just does not talk about being abused by her partner. 

No matter how bad things get between this person and me, it wouldn’t be right for me to tell anyone else about 

it. 

No matter how bad things get, you don’t talk about family problems with people outside the family. 

There is no way for someone like me to get help for the problems I have with my partner without people who 

know us findings out. 

Concern for Abuser 

I would not want anyone I asked for help to hurt this person. 

I would not want anyone I asked for help to put this person in jail. 

I’m not willing to do anything that would cause this person to be charged with a crime. 

If I tell someone about my problems, I will not get to decide what happens to my partner after that. 

This person could not make it if I was not taking care of him. 

My partner says he will kill himself if I end our relationship. 

I think my partner would kill himself if I ended our relationship. 

I am the only one who can help this person. 

No matter how bad it gets for me, I would never want this person to go to jail. 

If he ever hit me I would not be concerned about what happened to him afterward. 

I’m afraid the police would hurt this person if I call 911 for help. 

If don’t want anyone to know how he treats me because they would think badly of him. 

Justice System Response 

I would not want anyone I asked for help to hurt this person. 

I would not want anyone I asked for help to put this person in jail. 

I’m not willing to do anything that would cause this person to be charged with a crime. 

If I tell someone about my problems, I will not get to decide what happens to my partner after that. 

No matter how bad it gets for me, I would never want this person to go to jail. 

If he ever hit me I would not be concerned about what happened to him afterward. 

I’m afraid the police would hurt this person if I call 911 for help. 

If I tell the police about the problems I have with my partner they will take his side against me 

If I asked the police for help, they would not believe me about the problems I have with my partner. 

If I tell someone about my problems, I will not get to decide what happens to me after that. 

If I tell someone about my problems, I will not get to decide what happens to my family after that. 

The Center on Aging of Florida International University 90 

This document is a research report submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice. This report has not 

been published by the Department. Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s) 

and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.
Domestic Violence Against Older Women NIJ#2002-WG-BS-0100 Technical Report 

Part B: Identify readiness and plan individual-specific interventions for functionally independent 

women age 55+ who experience domestic abuse. 

Directions Part B: There are many ways to change a difficult or dangerous situation. Deciding what is right for 

you can be very confusing. Remember that you don’t need to do anything today that does not seem like the 

right thing to do. Also, it would be perfectly normal and appropriate if, over time, you change your mind about 

what you want to do. This final section of the questionnaire will help you make some decisions about needing 

or getting help for the problems you have with this person. This section can be reused over time and your 

responses are likely to change as you continue to look at this relationship in different ways. 

For each statement listed below, decide: 

A. I don’t think I’ll ever want this kind of help 

B. I want more information about this kind of help so I 

can decide if it would be useful for me. 

C. I’ve made up my mind. I want this kind of help. 

A 

I don’t 

think I’ll 

ever 

want this 

B 

I want more information 

about this kind of help 

so I can decide if it 

would be useful for me. 

C 

I’ve made up my mind. I 

want this kind of help. 

If you select A, circle the letter A in the box next to the 

statement. If you select B or C, select one of four 

options that describe when you believe you will be 

ready for this activity. 

B1 or C1 – Not ready to set specific time goal. 

B2 or C2 – Within the next month. 

B3 or C3 – Within the next week. 

B4 or C4 – Right now, today. 

For each statement numbered 1 to 20, please only 

mark one response. 

kind of 

help B1 B2 B3 B4 C1 C2 C3 C4 specific time goal Not ready to set 

mWithin the next 

onth

Within the next week Right Now - Today specific time goal Not ready to set mWithin the next 

onth

Within the next week Right Now - Today 

200 

Learn how to develop a plan for my safety if 

things get out of control but I don’t want to 

leave. 

A B1 B2 B3 B4 C1 C2 C3 C4 

201 Learn how to develop a plan for my safety if 

things get out of control and I decide to leave. A B1 B2 B3 B4 C1 C2 C3 C4 

202 

Without giving my name, meet with a counselor 

or social worker once or twice to get more 

information about my situation and my options. 

A B1 B2 B3 B4 C1 C2 C3 C4 

203 

Have someone I can talk to who will not expect 

me to do anything specific about my problems 

with this person. 

A B1 B2 B3 B4 C1 C2 C3 C4 

204 

[Even if I cannot afford to pay] meet regularly 

with a counselor or social worker who will help 

me deal with my relationship with this person. 

A B1 B2 B3 B4 C1 C2 C3 C4 

205 Join a support group with other women who 

have the kinds of problems I have. A B1 B2 B3 B4 C1 C2 C3 C4 

206 Find books to read that may help me make 

decisions about my situation. A B1 B2 B3 B4 C1 C2 C3 C4 

207 

Get legal counsel about my immigration status 

or about the immigration status of my parents, 

children or others I care about. 

A B1 B2 B3 B4 C1 C2 C3 C4 

208 Get legal counsel regarding protecting my 

property. A B1 B2 B3 B4 C1 C2 C3 C4 

209 

Get legal counsel regarding actions that may be 

taken against me to prove I am impaired and 

unable to make decisions in my best interests. 

A B1 B2 B3 B4 C1 C2 C3 C4 

210 

Get help with financial planning so I can prepare 

for a time when I may choose not to live with 

this person. 

A B1 B2 B3 B4 C1 C2 C3 C4 

The Center on Aging of Florida International University 91 

This document is a research report submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice. This report has not 

been published by the Department. Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s) 

and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.
Domestic Violence Against Older Women NIJ#2002-WG-BS-0100 Technical Report 

For each statement listed below, decide: 

A. I don’t think I’ll ever want this kind of help 

B. I want more information about this kind of help so I 

can decide if it would be useful for me. 

C. I’ve made up my mind. I want this kind of help. 

A 

I don’t 

think I’ll 

ever 

want this 

B 

I want more information 

about this kind of help 

so I can decide if it 

would be useful for me. 

C 

I’ve made up my mind. I 

want this kind of help. 

If you select A, circle the letter A in the box next to the 

statement. If you select B or C, select one of four 

options that describe when you believe you will be 

ready for this activity. 

B1 or C1 – Not ready to set specific time goal. 

B2 or C2 – Within the next month. 

B3 or C3 – Within the next week. 

B4 or C4 – Right now, today. 

For each statement numbered 1 to 20, please only 

mark one response. 

kind of 

help B1 B2 B3 B4 C1 C2 C3 C4 specific time goal Not ready to set 

mWithin the next 

onth

Within the next week Right Now - Today specific time goal Not ready to set mWithin the next 

onth

Within the next week Right Now - Today 

211 Learn how I can talk to my doctor about the 

problems I have with this person. A B1 B2 B3 B4 C1 C2 C3 C4 

212 Make police and fire rescue personnel in my 

neighborhood aware of my situation. A B1 B2 B3 B4 C1 C2 C3 C4 

213 Have this person arrested for hurting me. A B1 B2 B3 B4 C1 C2 C3 C4 

214 Make this person move out of my house. A B1 B2 B3 B4 C1 C2 C3 C4 

215 Make this person stay away from me. A B1 B2 B3 B4 C1 C2 C3 C4 

216 Find a safe place I can go to in an emergency. A B1 B2 B3 B4 C1 C2 C3 C4 

217 Find another place to live. A B1 B2 B3 B4 C1 C2 C3 C4 

218 Move my things out of my house. A B1 B2 B3 B4 C1 C2 C3 C4 

219 

Get personal items like clothes, bed linens, 

towels, cleaning supplies, etc. so I can live on 

my own. 

A B1 B2 B3 B4 C1 C2 C3 C4 

The Center on Aging of Florida International University 92 

This document is a research report submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice. This report has not 

been published by the Department. Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s) 

and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.
APPENDIX E 

DRAFT PRACTICE GUIDELINES 

This document is a research report submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice. This report has not 

been published by the Department. Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s) 

and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.
Domestic Violence Against Older Women Practice Guidelines Page 94 

 “There’s some older 

women that are still 

getting black eyes, beat 

up...But some older 

people [have] been 

together so long... they 

feel like, you know, when 

they married long time 

ago, they married till 

death do you part...And 

so a lot of old people is ... 

still getting whoopings. 

Because they figure, well 

that’s my husband. 

Whatever you do is 

alright. And they tolerate 

it, you know?” 

 “Now in my case my 

husband tends to be 

manic-depressive...I said 

to the doctor, you know 

doctor, I could very easily 

provoke physical abuse 

because I can see it’s on 

the verge. So he said, 

‘well, don’t provoke it’.” 

“I have a feeling that 

with health problems [in] 

people our age...there 

might be physical abuse 

in a relationship that 

never existed [in the 

relationship] 

before...Health problems, 

financial problems. The 

end result could be 

physical abuse.” 

Excerpts from Focus Group 

Transcripts 

Response and Intervention for 

Older Women who Experience 

Domestic Violence 

Practice Guidelines 

Prepared for 

The National Institute of Justice 

by 

The Center on Aging of 

Florida International University 

NIJ #2002-WG-BX-0100 

April 2005 

Burton D. Dunlop, Ph.D., Principal Investigator 

Richard Beaulaurier, Ph.D., Co-Principal 

Investigator 

Laura R. Seff, MBA, Co-Investigator 

Neena Malik, Ph.D., Consulting Investigator 

The Center on Aging 

3000 NE 151 Street, AC1-234 

North Miami, FL 33181 

Tel: 305-919-5550 ♦ Fax: 305-919-5585

Prepared by The Center on Aging of Florida International University with 

funding from the National Institute of Justice [NIJ #2002-WG-BX-0100] 

This document is a research report submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice. This report has not 

been published by the Department. Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s) 

and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.
Domestic Violence Against Older Women Practice Guidelines Page 95 

“And I called the Topic Index 

cops on him a couple of 

times...but what scared 

me was one time I Page 

called them on him and 

the police officer started Introduction 3 

beating him up before 

he could get a chance 

to get [his ID from his] 

Purpose 

Guiding Principles 

3 

3 

wallet...So it ended up 

being that I was scared Introduction to Practice Guidelines 6 

of calling the cops...I Practice Guideline Chart 7 

thought, well, if I call 

them they’re going to Using the Practice Guidelines 8 

come in and kill him. Additional Considerations 

And I really didn’t want 

him dead...Secretly I Statutory Requirements 14 

was glad. ‘Good, you 

got a little bit of what Agency-Specific Policies and Procedures 14 

you do to me.’ But I was Clarification of Roles and Responsibilities 15 

also scared generally 

because violence is not 

the answer, neither from 

the cops nor [my 

Additional Resources Regarding DV and Older 

Women 

Sample Safety Plan 

15 

15 

husband]...I was really 

scared at what I saw, so Appendix A: Additional Resources 

what happened wasn’t Appendix B: Sample Safety Plan 

right either.” 

A little later in the 

discussion from the 

IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS 

same participant: ”I Local DV Program with Elder Expertise 

don’t blame the police Local Police DV Unit 

at all...I’m glad they 

kicked his butt because Local Court DV Intake Unit 

it sort of shifted his State Adult Abuse Hotline 

brains a little bit to say, Local DV Protection Team 

‘Okay, now you’ve got a 

little bit of it.’ I mean, 

secretly I was in there 

Local SA Protection Team 

Other: 

saying yeah, yeah, but Other: 

I didn’t like to see the 

violent display...It’s still 

violence either way; it’s 

Other: 

Other: 

still violence.” 

Excerpt from Focus Group 

Transcripts 

Prepared by The Center on Aging of Florida International University with 

funding from the National Institute of Justice [NIJ #2002-WG-BX-0100] 

This document is a research report submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice. This report has not 

been published by the Department. Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s) 

and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.
“This is not one-size-fitsall work. Domestic 

violence interventions 

must be case specific and 

based on an ongoing 

analysis of the totality of 

risks the victim faces. 

Being in a relationship with 

an abusive partner – and 

surviving – requires 

considerable skill and 

resourcefulness. Although 

she may not be fully aware 

of it, every victim of 

domestic violence has 

already been doing risk 

assessment and safety 

planning; attempting to 

manage rising tensions, to 

head off crises, to protect 

themselves [and their 

children], and to keep an 

already bad situation from 

getting worse. It is 

important to remember 

that whatever the potential 

benefits, everything we 

suggest that battered 

victims do – or that we 

offer to do on their behalf, 

or that we do without their 

consent – also carries with 

it some kind of potential 

risk or cost. Responsible 

intervention isn’t possible 

unless we seriously 

consider and account for 

those risks and costs, as 

well as the risks she’s 

contending with before she 

encounters us.” 

Excerpt from Metro Nashville Police 

Department: A Guide to Domestic 

Violence Risk Assessment, Risk 

Reduction and Safety Plan. Available: 

www.nashville.net/~police/abuse/ 

stalking.htm. 

Domestic Violence Against Older Women Practice Guidelines Page 96 

Introduction: The research literature acknowledges that 

many older women who experience domestic abuse are 

poorly served by the systems that target domestic violence 

and elder abuse, respectively, and that the attitudes and 

needs of this population are poorly understood. Researchers 

at The Center on Aging (COA) and the School of Social 

Work (SSW) of Florida International University have recently 

completed a research study (Domestic Violence Against 

Older Women [DVAOW], NIJ #2002-WG-BX-0100) to 

increase knowledge in this area. Through analysis of data 

collected in 21 focus groups with a sample of 134 women, 

we have documented what a group of women between 45 

and 85 years of age think about domestic violence in older 

age, its manifestations, its causes, appropriate and 

acceptable assistance and intervention, barriers to helpseeking, and consequences for perpetrators. 

Purpose: Recognizing that each law enforcement, public 

safety, health care and social service agency has its own 

policies and procedures, some of which are statutory, the 

purpose of this document is to provide first responders and 

other professionals who interact with older women who may 

experience domestic abuse with an assessment and 

decision-making tool that may be used for initial screening 

and short-term follow-up. This document, based on findings 

from the DVAOW research, is organized around a series of 

assessment questions applied in decision tree-type 

alternative paths. The Guidelines and the assessment tool 

are offered so that women who are seen by staff in these 

agencies will receive assistance that will not exacerbate the 

situation and so that assistance will be offered in a way that 

minimizes non-acceptance of help. 

Guiding Principals: 

1. Treat women and their suspected abusers with 

dignity, respect, and compassion, and with sensitivity 

to age, culture, ethnicity, and sexual orientation. Older 

women express great concern regarding the safety 

and protection of their [abusive] partners. 

2. While accepting that no one deserves to experience 

domestic abuse, respect a woman’s right and ability 

to make decisions about her relationships and living 

situation. 

Prepared by The Center on Aging of Florida International University with 

funding from the National Institute of Justice [NIJ #2002-WG-BX-0100] 

This document is a research report submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice. This report has not 

been published by the Department. Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s) 

and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.
 “Well what I have 

seen I think the elderly 

are not treated with the 

same respect that you 

would give to someone 

else who was younger. 

When they ask me for 

something, when they 

complain...you say 

there goes that old 

person complaining 

again. Yes, they bother 

you a lot so you don’t 

care for them as much 

as you would a child. 

There is a lack of 

respect for their feelings 

and their necessities. 

You don’t look out for 

them, you leave them 

talking to themselves, 

you don’t give them 

importance or listen to 

what they are going 

through or about their 

needs.... you just leave 

them talking. That 

happens.” 

Excerpt from Focus Group 

Transcripts 

Domestic Violence Against Older Women Practice Guidelines Page 97 

3. Recognize that the purpose of the assessment and 

intervention process is to empower older women who 

experience abuse. Even subtle coercion or pressure 

to make certain decisions may reinforce existing 

barriers to help-seeking or create new ones. 

4. Educate women about the “commonness” of this 

problem and about options in the community for 

support, counseling, and intervention. Establish at 

least one line of communication for women, which will 

remain open and available even if assistance is not 

accepted at the time of initial screening. 

5. Discuss safety planning with all women. Acknowledge 

the safety planning behaviors they have adapted over 

the course of their relationship with the abuser, while 

expanding their awareness of additional options. Take 

at least a few minutes to help women begin the 

process of forming a safety plan. If more time is 

available, try to complete a safety plan. 

6. Help women assess their lethality risk by helping 

them to better understand the specific risk factors 

they face, with the goals of increasing personal safety 

and empowering decision-making. 

7. Understand that the process of leaving an abusive 

relationship is often long and gradual, or may never 

occur, and that some complex issues faced by older 

women in making this decision may be similar to 

issues faced by younger women in like situations, 

while other issues may be unique to this age group. 

8. There is a somewhat broader range of abuse in the 

case of older women than in younger women. 

Examples of abuse characteristics that may be 

specific to older women: 

a. In some cases what needs to be addressed is 

abuse that results from behavior changes 

related to aging or caregiving. Some older 

women experience domestic violence at the 

hands of a spouse who is dependent because 

of disease or other infirmity, or an adult child 

who is dependent because of mental health 

and/or substance abuse issues that prevent 

the adult child from living on his or her own. In 

both kinds of cases, responders should 

understand that the victim may not accept any 

intervention strategy that does not include 

Prepared by The Center on Aging of Florida International University with 

funding from the National Institute of Justice [NIJ #2002-WG-BX-0100] 

This document is a research report submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice. This report has not 

been published by the Department. Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s) 

and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.
Domestic Violence Against Older Women Practice Guidelines Page 98 

appropriate care for the dependent abuser, 

whom they see as their responsibility to care 

for. 

b. Dependent victim issues also must be 

addressed. Victims who rely on the abuser for 

daily care worry about how their needs will be 

met if the abuser is removed from the home. 

This was one of the most important findings in 

the study. Older women who experience abuse 

 M: “Well, I happen at the hands of their spouses, whether 

to know that a lot of the emotional, psychological, sexual, or physical, 

police will ask a person, do not want to live with the abuse, but very 

a wife that has been often they literally do not believe they can live 

abused by a husband, without it. 

[but] she won’t tell them. c. Diseases such as aging-related dementia or 

So what happens? He Alzheimer’s can cause a sudden onset of 

abuses her again. The aggressive behavior that was not present for 

cops come right back to most of the partners’ time together. 

the same house. d. In many cases abuse is longstanding. Women 

GG: But they want to in these types of relationships often 

see the bruises and the commented that while they continue to feel the 

black eye and the teeth effects of emotional and psychological abuse, 

knocked out. they have developed strategies for mitigating 

 M: They don’t know the worst of physical abuses. In other words, 

sometimes older women sometimes have learned to live 

mentally...it’s even with the abuse. This can produce feelings of 

more damaging. resignation and hopelessness, but may also 

have resulted in some concrete strategies for

GG: That’s what’s de-escalating dangerous situations.

hidden. That’s what 

never comes out.” e. Although women in longstanding abusive 

relationships may have developed strategies 

that help them avoid or survive the worst Excerpt from Focus Group effects of physical abuse, they indicated that Transcript 

this is often a precarious balance. Responders 

need to be aware that intervention may affect 

this uncertain balance and thereby create a 

dangerous situation. 

Prepared by The Center on Aging of Florida International University with 

funding from the National Institute of Justice [NIJ #2002-WG-BX-0100] 

This document is a research report submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice. This report has not 

been published by the Department. Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s) 

and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.
 “I’ve never seen 

domestic violence in my 

immediate family. My 

husband and I were not 

violent. Although two or 

three times I’ve seen 

my mother crack a pot 

across the back of my 

father’s head.”... I don’t 

know if you’d call what 

my mother did domestic 

violence, really. Do you 

think so?” 

“Because of the way 

we were brought up, our 

generation, which was 

always to make the best 

of things, which I don’t 

think is always bad... I 

think that’s how 

marriages last a long 

time. But we’re learning 

too. We’re learning that 

at least we have some 

rights, but I think we 

probably, most of us, 

would not tell.” 

Excerpts from Focus Group 

Transcript 

Domestic Violence Against Older Women Practice Guidelines Page 99 

Practice Guidelines for Assessment and Intervention: 

These Practice Guidelines are organized around the 

results of brief screening questions that may be used to 

identify situations with no abuse, emotional abuse only, or 

physical and emotional abuse. The chart on page seven 

shows the entire process, including decision points. 

Assessments, findings, and follow-up recommendations are 

color-coded. You will find more detailed explanations of the 

Guideline components in the matching colored tables that 

follow the chart. 

The following five screening questions are referred to 

in both the chart and the explanation that follows it: 

A. Are you afraid of your partner or scared for your safety? 

B. How often does “he” sulk, refuse to talk, storm out of the 

room or do something in spite? 

C. How often does “he” insult, swear, make you feel 

humiliated, tell you you are worthless, threaten to leave 

you, threaten to hit or hurt you or someone you care 

about? 

D. How often does “he” push, shove, grab, or slap you or 

throw something? 

E. How often does “he” kick, bite, punch, hit with something, 

beat up, choke, burn you, or force you to have sex 

against your will? 

RESPONSE SCALE: often, sometimes, rarely, never 

Any reply on the above scale other than “never” 

indicates a need for follow-up discussion or possible action 

as described in the Guidelines. Also, keep in mind that false 

negatives can occur. Therefore you should use caution in 

interpreting results. 

NOTE: This screen would not meet any standard for 

evidence collection and is not intended to be used that way. 

We suggest that you read through the remaining 

material in the Practice Guidelines carefully before 

using the screen or any other recommended actions.

Prepared by The Center on Aging of Florida International University with 

funding from the National Institute of Justice [NIJ #2002-WG-BX-0100] 

This document is a research report submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice. This report has not 

been published by the Department. Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s) 

and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.
Domestic Violence Against Older Women Practice Guidelines Page 100 

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AGAINST OLDER WOMEN 

PRACTICE GUIDELINES FOR ASSESSMENT AND INTERVENTION 

g tool 

•

•

now? 

• information for 

only 

•

•

No Yes 

• information for 

i

l 

•

•

ensure it is 

to call you? 

No Yes 

/sexual 

•

•

Yes No

•

•

•

• information for 

Make referral 

to the 

Based 

Program for 

who 

•

• Express 

•

ning, with 

ensure it is 

•

servi

Encounter situation where domestic abuse is possible or suspected 

Isolate Partners 

Conversational administration of brief screenin

Negative response to all 

screening questions 

No Clinical Findings 

Acknowledge 

concern about stress 

Is there anything we 

can do for you right 

Offer contact 

service referral to 

both partners 

Positive response to items A, B, and 

C addressing emotional abuse 

Clinical findings of emotional abuse 

Acknowledge concern re: 

emotional abuse 

Do you need assistance in your 

relationship with this person? 

Offer contact 

service referral to 

partner who 

screens posit ve 

for emotiona

abuse only. 

Express concern 

Conduct safety 

planning, with 

rehearsal to 

understood 

Would you be willing for someone 

Positive response to items A, D, and 

E addressing physical abuse 

Clinical findings of physical

and emotional abuse 

Acknowledge concern re: 

domestic abuse 

Do you need assistance in your 

relationship with this person? 

Don’t blame 

Express concern 

Conduct safety 

planning, with 

rehearsal to ensure 

it is understood 

Offer contact 

service referral 

Community 

Advocate 

Older Women 

experience 

domestic 

abuse. 

Don’t blame 

concern 

Conduct 

safety planrehearsal to 

understood 

Offer central 

phone 

number for 

ce 

referral 

CAUTION: If either the victim or the perpetrator appears to be at significant risk of harm, or if either 

appears to be physically hurt or cognitively impaired, more assertive action may be required. 

Prepared by The Center on Aging of Florida International University with funding from the National 

Institute of Justice [NIJ #2002-WG-BX-0100] 

This document is a research report submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice. This report has not 

been published by the Department. Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s) 

and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.
Domestic Violence Against Older Women Practice Guidelines Page 

101 

 “Domestic 

violence...when it’s 

mental, I think it is worse 

than physical, because 

the mental part doesn’t 

go away...You can try 

going around laughing 

and being nice, but in 

your heart you’re 

breaking, you’re hurting, 

you’re screaming for 

somebody to help you.” 

 “Violence to me is more 

than – I mean, when you 

say violence, you mean 

physical abuse. There are 

many people who’ve 

never had physical 

abuse, which I have 

never had. And I don’t 

know anybody – You 

could do a heck of a lot 

by talking, innuendo, all 

sorts of things. And Its 

much worse than physical 

abuse...But they want to 

see bruises and the black 

eye and the teeth 

knocked out.” 

“Anger management? 

The courts sort of mandate the man to take 

those anger management 

courses. Now I can tell 

you, it sure makes the 

man very angry to take 

those anger management 

classes.” 

Excerpts from Focus Group 

Transcripts 

Using the Practice Guidelines: The Practice Guidelines 

are easy and quick to use in most situations where domestic 

abuse involving an older women is possible or suspected. 

The following explanation is color coded to match the 

diagram of the Guidelines on page seven. 

• When you encounter a situation where domestic abuse is 

possible or suspected, the partners should be separated 

before any questions are asked. The importance of 

separate questioning in terms of the honesty of the 

answers, particularly for the victim, has been well 

documented in domestic violence literature. 

• After the partners are separated, ask five brief screening 

questions using a conversational approach: 

A. Are you afraid of your partner or scared for your 

safety? 

B. How often does “he” sulk, refuse to talk, storm out 

of the room or do something in spite? 

C. How often does “he” insult, swear, make you feel 

humiliated, tell you ‘you are worthless’, threaten to 

leave you, threaten to hit or hurt you or someone 

you care about? 

D. How often does “he” push, shove, grab, or slap 

you or throw something? 

E. How often does “he” kick, bite, punch, hit with 

something, beat up, choke, burn you, or force you 

to have sex against your will? 

RESPONSE SCALE: often, sometimes, rarely, never 

NOTE: Any reply on the above scale other than “never” 

indicates a need for follow-up discussion and possible action 

as described below. 

Examples of conversational approach: 

“Things seem uncomfortable. I’m wondering if you are 

scared for your safety or afraid of what [John] may do?” 

“Seems like things got a little out of control here. How often 

does [John] refuse to talk to you or storm out when he’s 

angry?” 

“Sometimes in situations like this the [husband] insults, 

swears at, humiliates, threatens to leave or to hurt his [wife], 

or people or pets she cares about. How often would you say

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Domestic Violence Against Older Women Practice Guidelines Page 

102 

“But if one keeps 

talking, the situation 

can get worse...things 

get forced more...and 

then you come to see 

that what is called 

domestic violence 

comes from there. In 

order not to get there, 

well one should shut 

one’s mouth. But that 

kind of love is not 

good.” 

“You know that the 

abuser is going to be 

taken away, but 

sooner or later they 

are going to return 

and the person who is 

abused is going to be 

scared and not willing 

to speak up again so 

that they don’t go 

through that again.” 

 “Many times I think 

women are afraid to 

do this. Especially as 

you get older, you 

become very used to 

the way you live. And 

if somebody hurt you, 

you can’t imagine 

why, but they do it. 

And you put up... and 

you may put up with 

it.” 

Excerpts from Focus Group 

Transcripts 

[John] does those kinds of things? 

“I’ve heard that some [husbands] push, grab or slap their 

[wife] or throw something when they are angry or upset. 

Does [John] ever do those kinds of things? If “yes” probe for 

frequency. 

“Sometimes when [husbands] get very angry they kick, bite, 

punch, choke, burn or even beat up their [wife] or force them 

to have sex. Does [John] ever do those kinds of things? If 

“yes” probe for frequency. 

CAUTION: If any of the responses do not ring true, continue 

a dialogue. Avoid direct questions. It may be helpful to say 

something like, “I know women like you who have conflicts in 

their relationships with their husbands. It is not so unusual. 

There is certainly help available for any kind of problem you 

and [John] may be having.” 

questions there are no positive findings. However, we know 

• Acknowledge concern about stress: “You seem to be 

It can start affecting physical health and people’s 

happiness – even how much they feel emotionally 

problem for you.” 

• ]

By asking this question you assure the woman 

that she can choose any kind of assistance she is 

ready for wi

•

contact information for service referral for both 

when she uses this contact information, she will be 

If the woman responds “never” (or equivalent) to the five 

that even if they are separated from the abuser, some 

women will not admit to any abuse. Therefore it is important 

to convey a message of CONCERN without implying that 

you don’t believe her. To do this you can: 

experiencing a lot of stress. You know stress can pile 

up so high that it gets to be really hard to handle alone. 

stable. I’m concerned that stress may become a 

ASK: “Is there anything [we can do for you right 

now?” 

thout losing independence or autonomy. 

Determine resources for reaching out to get help. Offer 

partners. Explain that this is a general referral and 

referred to other agencies based on the kind of help 

she wants. If there is no phone in the home, offer to 

make contact right then using your cellular phone. 

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Domestic Violence Against Older Women Practice Guidelines Page 

103 

“If a man is like 

abusing a woman like 

his wife or girlfriend, 

and she reports it, she’s 

always like laughed 

at.... The police [think] 

she probably did upset 

him to do this... The old 

men do it. So she would 

not report it, because 

like I said, she’d be 

laughed at. So if you 

grow up in a culture like 

that, and it happens to 

you now, you’re going 

to [not tell]...and then 

we still have things 

where if you report it, 

you have to prove it and 

you don’t want to go 

through all that type of 

scandal.” 

 “Yes. But I’d call in a 

heart-beat, because I 

remember when I was 

that person getting beat 

up. I just wished that 

somebody would have 

come to the door, 

appeared, and helped 

me.” 

Excerpts from Focus Group 

Transcripts 

NOTE: Regardless of the response to the screening 

If this is 

the case: 

Check for understanding and take time to answer 

questions. 

process as calm as possible. Remember that the 

victim is likely to “pay” for any outrage or violence 

shown toward the abuser. Therefore you can best 

arrest process calm and “supportive”. 

and that regardless of his partner’s wishes, you are 

is often also the primary or only caregiver. 

questions, if there is convincing physical evidence that 

criminal domestic violence and/or elder abuse, as 

defined by state statute, has occurred, responders must 

follow the course of action prescribed by law.

1. Calmly and clearly explain what is happening and why. 

2. Even if the abuser is resisting, make the arrest 

assure the woman’s safety by making any required 

3. Make it clear to the abuser that he has broken the law 

required by law to arrest him. 

4. Do not leave a victim alone without assistance who is 

medically, emotionally, or cognitively impaired and 

dependent on the abuser. In this situation the abuser 

Many women in our study said that emotional abuse was as 

bad as or worse than physical abuse, but there was 

reluctance to bring this kind of abuse to anyone’s attention 

because it might not be taken seriously or it might not, in 

fact, be considered a serious problem. 

The first three screening questions, A, B, and C, are used to 

identify the presence of psychological, mental, verbal, or 

emotional abuse. 

If the screen for A, B, and/or C is positive it is important to 

convey a message of CONCERN and RECOGNITION of the 

potential negative consequences of emotional abuse. To do 

this you can: 

• Acknowledge concern about emotionally abusive 

behavior without labeling the behavior. You might 

say something like, “it seems like your [husband] 

[sometimes/often] says things that make you feel very 

bad or afraid. Sometimes this kind of situation can get 

worse over time. Feelings can pile up so high that it 

gets to be really hard to handle alone. This can start 

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Domestic Violence Against Older Women Practice Guidelines Page 

104 

Safety Planning 

 Safety planning is a 

well-used strategy for 

preparing for emergency 

situations. For example 

schools and businesses 

maintain alarm systems, 

which sound in case of 

fire. Students or staff are 

asked to practice leaving 

the premises from time to 

time so they will be prepared in the case of a 

real fire. 

 Likewise, women who 

live in relationships that 

involve anger, threats or 

violence should develop 

and practice a safety plan 

in case their situation 

becomes dangerous. 

These plans may be written or even just mentally 

designed and rehearsed. 

Regardless of whether 

the plan is written, women 

at risk should be encouraged to think about four 

issues in particular: 

• Increasing safety at 

home with the abuser 

• Increasing safety in the 

workplace, if applicable 

• An emergency escape 

plan to flee the home 

(and workplace, if 

applicable) 

• The safety of her 

person and others she 

cares about (including 

pets) after she leaves 

the relationship. 

A sample of a detailed 

safety plan is provided in 

Appendix B. 

affecting physical health and people’s happiness – 

•

By asking this 

question you assure the woman that she can choose 

be open to getting help. 

When a woman who screens positive for emotional abuse 

says she does not need assistance

the abuser you can: 

•

that this is a general referral and when she uses this 

contact information, she will be referred to other 

agencies based on the kind of help she wants. 

• Encourage her to look for help with the things that are 

available for people in situations like hers. 

• Talk about safety planning and how it might be 

abuse is out of control and the situation might escalate. 

to develop at least a brief safety plan that includes 

abuse. 

can: 

even how much they feel emotionally stable. I’m 

concerned that this may become a problem for you.” 

ASK: “If someone were to help you, what would be 

the best kind of help right now?” 

the kind of assistance she is ready for without losing 

independence or autonomy while encouraging her to 

 in her relationship with 

Offer contact information for service referral. Explain 

difficult for her to handle now. Assure her that help is 

important if a woman becomes frightened that verbal 

Ask her to think about under what circumstances she 

should ask for help if she is not ready for help now. Try 

thinking about where to go if things get out of control, 

and when it might be good to get outside help. 

Women in our study said that there are many reasons why 

abuse victims hide the abuse, even physical abuse with 

readily observed injuries. 

The first screening question, A, and the last two questions, D 

and E, are used to identify the presence of physical abuse, 

including sexual abuse. Women who experience physical 

and/or sexual abuse also would experience emotional 

If the screen for A, D, and/or E is positive it is important to 

convey a message of CONCERN and RECOGNITION of the 

potential negative consequences of abuse. To do this you 

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Domestic Violence Against Older Women Practice Guidelines Page 

105 

 “There are times 

when you don’t feel 

confident you’re going 

to get the help from 

law enforcement...My 

husband had a gun 

one time and he 

wasn’t beating me but 

he was threatening 

me. And I called, them 

came, and then the 

lady gave him a 

break...and they left 

me here with him...the 

police, working with 

battered women at the 

time, they were not 

helpful...they may be 

better now. Hopefully 

they’re better now.” 

Excerpt from Focus Group 

Transcript 

• Acknowledge concern about abusive behavior without 

labeling the behavior. You might say something like, 

“it seems like your [husband] [sometimes/often] hurts 

you physically or makes you feel very bad or afraid. 

Sometimes this kind of situation can get worse over 

time. Feelings can pile up so high that it gets to be 

really hard to handle alone. Sometimes women 

experience minor or even serious injuries. This can 

start affecting physical health and people’s happiness – 

even how emotionally stable they feel. I’m concerned 

that these things may become a problem for you.” 

• “If someone were to help you, what would be the 

best kind of help right now?” By asking this question 

you assure the woman that she can choose the kind of 

assistance she is ready for without losing 

independence or autonomy while encouraging her to 

be open to getting help. 

When a woman who screens positive for physical or sexual 

abuse says she does not need assistance in her 

relationship with the abuser, OR if she needs assistance but 

is not willing for someone to call her you should: 

• Don’t blame and don’t judge. 

• Repeat expressed concern regarding the possible 

escalation of the behavior and the impact on health and 

sense of well being. 

• Take 5 minutes to do a safety plan, with rehearsal 

to ensure it is understood. Acknowledge that women 

who experience abuse routinely have already 

developed a keen sense of how to survive; build on 

strategies she already uses. Try to get the woman to 

articulate as many plan details as possible; focus on 

essential components like access to important legal 

documents and medication. See Appendix B for more 

ideas regarding what to include. 

• Offer contact information for DV services. Offer to 

make call while you are there (even if she initially 

refused assistance), or allow her to use your cellular 

phone to make the call. 

• Encourage her to look for help with the things that are 

difficult for her to handle now. Assure her that help is 

available for people in situations like hers. 

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Domestic Violence Against Older Women Practice Guidelines Page 

106 

 “They...don’t 

believe that they are 

doing something 

wrong. They say, ‘but 

my father hit me and 

he hit my mother the 

same way.’ They see 

that as normal. My exhusband still tells my 

son, ‘I had to 

straighten you and 

teach you to grow and 

be a well-to-do person 

and I had to teach 

your mother that she 

had to respect me and 

do what I asked.’ The 

man is 65 years old 

and still thinks that.” 

Excerpt from Focus Group 

Transcript 

C A U T I O N 

If you believe you need to take such action, continue to try to 

less useful and may provoke anger. A good response to 

this way”. 

also the primary or only caregiver. 

If either the victim or the perpetrator appears to be at 

significant risk of harm, or if either appears to be 

physically hurt or cognitively impaired, more assertive 

action may be required. 

maintain calm but speaking in a normal tone (don’t yell) and 

explaining what is going to happen. Explaining why may be 

“why” is “this is my job and my supervisor expects me to do it 

Never leave a victim alone without assistance who is 

medically, emotionally, or cognitively impaired and 

dependent on the abuser. In this situation the abuser is often 

When a woman who screens positive for emotional or 

physical abuse indicates she needs assistance in her 

relationship with the abuser you can ask: 

Would you be willing for someone to call you? 

If the woman is willing for someone to call her, you 

should: 

In Miami-Dade County: Make a referral to the Elder DV/SA 

Advocate Program. See the column at the left for a brief 

description of this program and information regarding how to 

make referrals. 

Elsewhere: Identify the best service option in your 

community. Look for a program or agency with: 

• A staffed telephone intake line 24/7. 

• At least one staff member who is trained specifically to 

work with older women who experience domestic 

abuse. 

• Access to an “elder friendly” temporary shelter bed, in 

case shelter is requested by the victim. 

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been published by the Department. Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s) 

and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.
Domestic Violence Against Older Women Practice Guidelines Page 107 

ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS 

Statutory Requirements: In order to make good decisions regarding both the process 

and outcome of risk assessment, first responders and counselors or advocates 

involved in treatment must understand all statutory requirements. Relevant Florida 

statutes are listed below with a brief summary of the situations they cover. Full text 

copies of statutes for all states are available on-line, generally through the state’s web 

site. 

F.S. CHAPTER 784: ASSAULT; BATTERY; CULPABLE NEGLIGENCE 

(Note: Section 784.08 contains specific instructions regarding assault or 

battery on persons 65 years of age or older. 

F.S. CHAPTER 825: ABUSE, NEGLECT, AND EXPLOITATION OF 

ELDERLY PERSONS AND DISABLED ADULTS (Note: This chapter 

defines criminal activity and penalties for such activity.) 

F.S. CHAPTER 415: ADULT PROTECTIVE SERVICES (Note: Definition 

of persons covered under the statute is found in Section 415.102; 

mandatory reporting guidelines are in Section 415.1034.) 

F.S. CHAPTER 39: PROCEEDINGS RELATING TO CHILDREN PART 

XIII DOMESTIC VIOLENCE (Note: This Part covers confidentiality of 

information for women in shelters.) 

F.S. CHAPTER 741: MARRIAGE; DOMESTIC VIOLENCE (Note: 

Relevant information regarding judicial protection for victims is found in 

Sections 741.28 through 741.465.) 

F.S. CHAPTER 744: GUARDIANSHIP (Note: Certain situations may 

require understanding of various aspects of this statute; sections that 

specifically pertain to elders are highlighted.) 

F.S. CHAPTER 90: EVIDENCE CODE (Sections 90.5035 and 90.5036 

describes privilege for sexual assault counselors and domestic violence 

counselors, respectively.) 

Agency-specific Policies and Procedures: Virtually all agencies, whose employees 

and/or volunteers come in contact with victims, have agency-specific policies and 

procedures to follow. The process described in these Practice Guidelines obviously 

does not replace existing policies. In order to use these Guidelines most effectively, 

therefore, they must be interpreted and operationalized within the context of existing 

policies and procedures. 

Clarification of Roles and Responsibilities: It is important to clearly advise a victim 

regarding (1) the extent to which confidentiality applies to your communication with her 

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Domestic Violence Against Older Women Practice Guidelines Page 108 

and what information you are legally required to disclose (and to whom), (2) any 

existing limits regarding protective actions that “the system” may undertake on their 

behalf, (3) how the public systems that are available to offer them assistance “work”. 

Additional Resources Regarding Domestic Violence and Older Women: Appendix 

A provides contact information regarding existing community programs and other 

available resources to further explore the issues surrounding domestic violence 

against older women. 

Sample Safety Plan: A number of safety plan formats are available, many of them 

through one or more of the resources listed in Appendix A. A sample of one such plan 

is provided in Appendix B. It is important to note, however, that formal safety plans are 

lengthy and detailed. In situations that are not conducive to completing such a long 

form the concept of safety planning should still be introduced, briefly described and 

encouraged. 

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Domestic Violence Against Older Women Practice Guidelines Page 109 

APPENDIX A 

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES 

AARP Foundation National Legal Training Project (re: domestic abuse in later life) at: 

http://www.aarp.org/ntp 

Abuse in Later Life publications from the Wisconsin Coalition Against Domestic 

Violence. Available on line at: http://store.wcadv.org or (608) 255-0539 

Adult Abuse Review at: http://www.wordbridges.net 

Domestic Abuse in Later Life at: 

http://www.vaw.umn.edu/documents/vawnet/arlaterlife/arlaterlife.html 

Domestic Abuse in Later Life Prevalence and Incidence (2002) at: 

http://www.elderabusecenter.org/pdf/research/statistics.pdf 

Health Canada National Clearinghouse on Family Violence, article on Emotional 

Abuse at: www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/ncfv-cnivf/familyviolence/pdfs/emotion.pdf 

National Association of Adult Protective Services Administrators (NAAPSA) at: 

http://www.elderabusecenter.org/default.cfm?p=naapsa.cfm 

National Center on Elder Abuse at: http://www.elderabusecenter.org 

National Clearinghouse on Abuse in Later Life at: http://www.ncall.us/ 

National Committee for the Prevention of Elder Abuse at: 

http://www.preventelderabuse.org/elderabuse/domestic.html 

National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC): www.nsvrc.org 

Office of Violence Against Women at: www.ojp.usdoj.gov/vawo 

Violence Against Women Library at: www.vawnet.org 

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Domestic Violence Against Older Women Practice Guidelines Page 110 

APPENDIX B 

SAMPLE SAFETY PLAN 

This information was generalized from a plan found at Metro Nashville Police 

Department . Below is a seven step safety plan. Please take the time to print this and 

fill it out with a friend, family member or a woman in need. Even if you feel you will 

never need this information... 

Step 1. Safety during violence I can use the following options: 

a. If I decide to leave, I will ______________________________________________ 

b. I can keep a bag ready and put it_____________________ so I can leave quickly. 

c. I can tell ________________________________ about the violence and have them 

call the police when violence erupts. 

d. I will use this word code ___________________________________ for my 

children, friends, or family to call for help. 

e. If I have to leave my home, I will go ____________________________________ 

(Be prepared even if you think you will never have to leave.) 

f. When an argument erupts, I will move to a safer room such as _______________ 

g. At the same time, I will avoid the most unsafe rooms or places in my home. These 

are _____________________________________________________________ 

h. I will use my instincts, intuition, and judgment. I will protect myself until I am out of 

danger. 

Step 2. Safety when getting ready to leave. I can use the following strategies: 

a. I will leave money and an extra set of keys with __________________________ 

b. I will keep important documents and keys at _____________________________ 

c. I will open a savings account by this date____________ to increase my 

independence. 

d. Other things I can do to increase my independence are: ____________________ 

 _________________________________________________________________ 

e. The domestic violence hotline is _______________________________________ 

f. The shelter's hotline is ______________________________________________ 

g. I will keep change for phone calls with me at ALL times. I know that if I use a 

telephone credit card, that the following month the telephone bill will tell the batterer 

who I called after I left. I will keep this information confidential by using a prepaid 

phone card, using a friend's telephone card, calling collect, or using change. 

h. I will check with_________________________ and ________________________ 

to know who will let me stay with them or who will lend me money. 

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Domestic Violence Against Older Women Practice Guidelines Page 111 

i. I can leave extra clothes with _________________________________________ 

j. I will review my safety plan every _____________________ (time frame) in order to 

plan the safest route. I will review the plan with _________________________ (a 

friend, counselor or advocate.) 

k. I will rehearse the escape plan and practice it with a family member or friend who 

may help me. 

Step 3. Safety At Home. I can use the following safety methods: 

a. I can change the locks on my doors and windows as soon as possible. 

b. I can replace wooden doors with steel doors. 

c. I can install security systems- i.e. additional locks, window bars, poles to wedge 

against doors, electronic sensors, etc. 

d. I can purchase rope ladders to be used for escape routes from the second floor. 

e. I can install smoke detectors and buy fire extinguishers for each floor of my home. 

f. I can install an outside lighting system that lights up when someone approaches my 

home. 

g. [If applicable] I will tell the people who care for my children who has permission to 

pick up my children. My partner is NOT allowed to. Inform the following people: 

School_____________________________________________ 

Day Care___________________________________________ 

Babysitter__________________________________________ 

Sunday School______________________________________ 

Teacher____________________________________________ 

And________________________________________________ 

Others______________________________________________ 

h. I can tell the following people that my partner no longer lives with me and that they 

should call the police if he is near my residence: 

Neighbors___________________________________________ 

Church Leaders______________________________________ 

Friends_____________________________________________ 

Others______________________________________________

Step 4. Order of Protection. The following steps will help enforce the order of 

protection: 

a. I will keep the protection order _________________________ (the location). 

Always keep it with you. 

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and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.
_________________________________________________________________ 

_________________________________________________________________ 

_________________________________________________________________ 

_________________________________________________________________ 

_________________________________________________________________ 

_________________________________________________________________ 

_________________________________________________________________ 

__________________________________________________________________ 

________________________________________________________________ 

Domestic Violence Against Older Women Practice Guidelines Page 112 

b. I will give my protection order to police departments in the areas that I visit my 

friends, family, where I live, and where I work. 

c. If I visit other counties or states, I will register my protection order with those 

counties or states. 

d. I can call the local domestic violence agency if I am not sure how to register my 

protection order with the police departments. 

e. I will tell my employer, my church leader, my friends, my family and others that I 

have a protection order. 

f. If my protection order gets destroyed, I know I can go to the County Courthouse and 

get another copy. 

g. If my partner violates the protection order, I will call the police and report it. I will call 

my lawyer, my advocate, counselor, and/ or tell the courts about the violation. 

h. If the police do not help, I will call my advocate or my attorney AND I will file a 

complaint with the Chief of the Police Department. 

i. I can file a private criminal complaint with the district judge in the jurisdiction that the 

violation took place or with the District Attorney. A domestic violence advocate will 

help me do this. 

Step 5. Job and Public Safety. I can do the following: 

a. I can tell my boss, security, and _________________________ at work about this 

situation. 

b. I can ask _________________________________ to help screen my phone calls. 

c. When leaving work I can do the following: 

d. When I am driving home from work and problems arise, I can 

e. If I use public transportation, I can ______________________________________ 

f. I will shop at different grocery stores and shopping malls at different hours than I did 

when I was with my partner. 

g. I will use a different bank and bank at different hours than I did when I was with my 

partner. 

h. I can also do the following: ____________________________________________ 

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and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.
_________________________________________________________________ 

_____________________________________________________________ 

_________________________________________________________________ 

_________________________________________________________________ 

_________________________________________________________________ 

_________________________________________________________________ 

Domestic Violence Against Older Women Practice Guidelines Page 113 

Step 6. Drug and Alcohol Use. I can enhance my safety if I do the following: 

a. If I am going to use, I am going to do it in a safe place with people who understand 

the risk of violence and who are committed to my safety. 

b. I can also _________________________________________________________ 

c. If my partner is using, I can ___________________________________________ 

d. I can also _________________________________________________________ 

e. To protect my loved ones, I can ________________________________________ 

f. To protect my pets, I can _____________________________________________ 

Step 7. Emotional Health. I can do the following: 

a. If I feel depressed and ready to return to a potentially violent situation/ partner, I can 

b. I can call _________________________________________________________ 

c. When I have to talk to my partner in person or on the phone, I can ____________ 

d. I will use "I can..." statements and I will be assertive with people. 

e. I can tell myself "__________________________________________________" 

when I feel people are trying to control or abuse me. 

f. I can call the following people and/ or places for support: ____________________ 

g. Things I can do to make me feel stronger are: ____________________________ 

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This document is a research report submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice. This report has not 

been published by the Department. Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s) 

and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.