The Elderly Victim of Rape

Female genital injuries resulting from consensual and non-consensual vaginal intercourse

“…Conversely, the younger group of participants received more extra-genital injuries. Ramin et al [13], see their results as repeating those of Cartwright and Moore [14], and concur with Geist [4] that genital injuries occur most to the very young and older females. There were circumstantial differences that could not be addressed, such as the extent to which participants had resisted.…”

Sexual abuse and sexual offending against elderly people: A focus on perpetrators and victims

“…A study of 21 elderly victims of rape (60 -90 years of age) by Cartwright and Moore (1989) also reported that such rapists are motivated by anger, possibly racial hostility in their cases, and expression of power. They…”

‘If you’d had my life, you’d have done it too’: exploring the experiences of adult males who rape elderly females

“…Participants were open to acknowledge the wrongdoing in their behaviour and a need to change, whilst protecting the self as not fully responsible. Muram et al (1992) and Cartwright and Moore (1989) identified availability and vulnerability as key factors in offences against elderly victims in general. The study provides support for these commonalities found in the research in that all the victims lived alone and were attacked in their own home.…”

“…Groth's model of offending was supported by Pollock (1988) who suggested that men who offended against elderly victims were likely to have been driven by rage and sadistic intent rather than sexual desire. In further support of this, Cartwright and Moore (1989) concluded from their retrospective analysis of reported sexual offences, that elderly rape is motivated by anger. Research has also suggested that availability and vulnerability are key factors in why sexual offenders may target elderly victims (Muram et al, 1992;Cartwright & Moore, 1989).…”

“…Sexual offending against the elderly is less frequent than with other age groups, with a purported prevalence rate of 2-7% of victim samples (Amir, 1971;Cartwright & Moore, 1989;Fletcher, 1977;Hicks, 1977;Macdonald, 1971). In a five year study in the UK, Lea, Lanvers and Shaw (2003) reported that six percent of their sample (n=379 rapes) involved a victim over 50 years of age.…”