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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Erin L. Abner, MA, MPH¹, Pamela B. Teaster, PhD², Marta S. Mendiondo, PhD³, Holly Ramsey-Klawsnik, PhD⁴, and Kara Cecil, BA². (1) College of Public Health, University of Kentucky, 121 Washington Ave, Lexington, KY 40536, 859*533*9778, elabne0@uky.edu, (2) Graduate Center for Gerontology, University of Kentucky, 900 S. Limestone St, Lexington, KY 40536, (3) Department of Biostatistics, University of Kentucky, 121 Washington Ave, Lexington, KY 40536-0003, (4) Klawsnik & Klawsnik Associates, 24 High St, Canton, MA 02021

Abuse of the vulnerable adult population presents a significant public health and public safety problem that will become increasingly greater as this population grows and ages. The 2004 Survey of State Adult Protective Services reveals that reports of elder and vulnerable adult abuse made to Adult Protective Services have increased 16% from the 2000 survey (Teaster & Colleages, 2006). Sexual abuse, which is a subset of physical abuse, occurs in both domestic and institutional settings and accounts for between 1-8% of all reported cases of abuse. The extent to which vulnerable adult sexual abuse occurs, to whom, and by whom, however, is not clearly understood and has few empirical studies.

The authors of the current study collected data from seven agencies in five states on all cases of sexual abuse in institutional settings that were reported to and/or investigated by participating Adult Protective Services and regulatory agencies from May 1, 2005 through October 31, 2005. Data were collected via secure email and fax and through a secure web site.

This presentation focuses on elderly victims (aged 60 years and above) and examines the correlates of sexual abuse: age, gender, mental and physical illnesses, incapacitation, facility type, perpetrator characteristics, and intervention outcomes.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this presentation the participant will be able to

• Identify the correlates of sexual abuse for institutionalized elders (adults 60+)
• Assess the significance of the correlates of sexual abuse
• Consider the implications of sexual abuse in institutional settings for elders residing in the community

Keywords: Aging, Sexual Assault

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No