WUNRN
Also via SVRI - Sexual Violence
Research Initiative
IRELAND - OLDER PEOPLE SEXUALLY
ABUSED WHEN YOUNGER - SEEKING HELP - WOMEN
March
28, 2012 - Older people shamed in to silence after suffering rape or sexually
abuse when younger are coming forward for help, it emerged today.
A total of 95 women and 28 men aged over 55 years attended sexual violence
centres across Ireland in 2010.
More than half of the women revealed the sexual violence happened in their own
homes, with almost 80% abused over several years as a child.
Breid Morris, of the Older Women's Network (OWN), said people are never too old
to start healing from sexual violence.
"Older survivors had come from an era where sexual assault was not spoken
about, when myths abounded unchallenged that kept them ashamed and
silent," she said.
"Women who have managed, through a variety of means, to hold their past in
check for decades so that they could raise children, work and contribute to the
community may have not recognised the impact of sexual abuse on their lives.
"We hope this message will give older women an opportunity to have their
stories heard."
Nine out of 10 knew the abuser and almost half of were attacked by one or more
family members.
In 5% of cases, the perpetrators were women.
The Rape Crisis Network Ireland (RCNI) and OWN launched a new DVD for older
women who suffered from sexual violence.
It includes the story Peggy, a widow, who was 70 when she attended a talk by a
counsellor and heard for the first time that rape within marriage was a
criminal offence.
With difficulty she accepted she had been raped for most of her married life,
with her children conceived as through rape.
"With counselling, she finally found her voice and her self-esteem,"
her support worker said.
Fiona Neary, RCNI director, said it is never too late for people to seek
support for past sexual violence.
Cora only went for help at the age of 62 after the death of an elderly
neighbour who had sexually abused and raped her as a child when she was sent to
clean his house.
When she eventually told her husband she was receiving counselling, he revealed
he too had been sexually abused in school.
"Cora finished her counselling at age 63 and felt that life was finally
beginning," her counsellor said.
Elsewhere Safe Ireland revealed older women are also seeking help from domestic
violence services every day.
Its latest one-day census, on November 4, 2011, found 11 women over 65 years
attending a service.
Sharon O'Halloran, Director of Safe Ireland, added: "It's never too late
for women to take an important step forward to look for support from abuse.
"A few months ago I took a phone call from a 65-year-old woman to our
service. She had endured horrendous abuse for over 40 years.
"I want it to go out loud and clear that our services are for everyone,
regardless of age, social class, family circumstances, and nationality."
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