Intimate Partner Violence and

Rural Older Women

Center for Gerontology at Virginia TechCenter for Gerontology at Virginia TechWomen’s Resource Center of the New River ValleyWomen’s Resource Center of the New River Valley

Funded by grant # R03HD059478 from the Eunice Kennedy Shriver NICHD Funded by grant # R03HD059478 from the Eunice Kennedy Shriver NICHD and the NIH Office of the Director (OD)and the NIH Office of the Director (OD)

Professional PracticesProfessional Practices

Identifying Rural Older VictimsIdentifying Rural Older Victims

• Suspicious physical injuries

• Socially isolated

• Appears anxious, quiet, or withdrawn

• Complains of vague chronic health problems

Identifying Rural Older VictimsIdentifying Rural Older Victims

• Unable to follow-through with appointments

• Takes “nerve pills” for anxiety and depression

• Misuses medication or alcohol

Traits of an Abusive PartnerTraits of an Abusive Partner

An abuser frequently exhibits the following traits to community providers:

• Overly attentive

• Speaks for the victim

• Accompanies the victim everywhere

• “Confides “ about the victim’s shortcomings and the hardships each creates

Normalize conversations about IPV withclients by:

• Talking in a private location• Initiating conversation with a general

opening statement:

Because so many individuals I work with are hurt by people close to them, I have started asking everyone some questions about relationships and abuse…

Initiating ConversationInitiating Conversation

Initiating Conversation Initiating Conversation cont.cont.

If a client has already completed a survey on IPV, initiate conversation with

I want to review with you your response to the survey that you just completed. I understand that you may be in a relationship that is difficult in one way or another. I am concerned that we provide care for all of your needs. So, I’d like to ask you a few more questions.1

IPV Screening ToolsIPV Screening ToolsAsk questions using a screening tool

• Brief screens • Quick general assessment• 3 – 20 items

• In-depth screens• Target specific types of abuse and activities

• Partner Abuse Scale – 25 items• The Measure of Wife Abuse – 60 items

Brief ScreenBrief ScreenNew South Wales Department of Health SurveyNew South Wales Department of Health Survey

1. Within the last 12 months, have you been hit, slapped or hurt in other ways by your partner or ex-partner?

2. Are you frightened of your partner or ex-partner?

3. Are you safe to go home when you leave here?

If person answers yes to any of the questions, ask…

4. Would you like some assistance with this?

The CDC published a book of screening tools. Download a copy at www.cdc.gov

Elder Mistreatment Screening Instruments can be downloaded from the University of Iowa website

Continuing the ConversationContinuing the Conversation

• Listen and be responsive.

• Probe for more specific information when responses suggest abuse.

• Acknowledge what the victim is telling you.

The Family Violence Prevention Fund published guidelines on how to respond to abuse (IPV).

Download a copy at www.endabuse.org

Conversation PitfallsConversation Pitfalls

During conversations about IPV, avoid

• Threatening to end services if the victim does not cooperate.

• Blaming the victim for the abuse.

Conversation Pitfalls Conversation Pitfalls cont.cont.

• Minimizing the potential danger.

• Relying on another person’s account that the victim is incompetent or demented.

• Relying on information provided by the abuser.