Improving support for older survivors of domestic abuse

A national network to increase research capacity, challenge stigma, and develop pathways to care.

Abuse in older people is increasing globally as many countries are experiencing rapidly ageing populations. Abuse towards older people includes physical, sexual, psychological, or financial abuse, and is a violation of their human rights. Almost 2.7 million older people were affected by domestic abuse in the UK in 2020. Older victims of domestic abuse are at increased risk of suicide, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Yet older survivors are hugely under-represented in research, policy development, and domestic abuse services. 

This multidisciplinary project brought together established and early-career researchers, older people with lived experience of domestic abuse, practitioners, and third sector organisations to co-produce evidence-based knowledge of models of care for older people affected by domestic abuse and understanding of what type of support is needed and wanted.