Abuse often begins or gets worse during pregnancy. Abused women are more likely to attempt suicide than women who are not abused. Injuries will often be minimized by the woman or her partner. Age has nothing to do with sexual abuse or other violence in a relationship. If you have older women as patients make sure you do not discount the possibility of abuse.
Older women suffer in silence most.
It is common for men to blame women for the violence. Others will blame it on unemployment, lack of money, being drunk or under the influence of drugs. These can increase stress but are never excuses for abuse. This may be the only chance to get the information to a woman who needs it. If she lives far from such services, provide information on the nearest safe place and help.