Week 12: Elder Abuse and Abuse against Persons with Disabilities.

Wow.

This week we covered the chapter concerning Elder abuse and abuse against persons with disabilities. There was so much shoved into this chapter and was so emotionally overwhelming to read! I can't believe this topic actually gets shoved out of some classes, textbooks, and more! Anyway, since there is so much information in this chapter I'm going to cover just a few pointers that I found interesting. However, if any of you have questions leave me a comment, e-mail, or fb me and I'll find you an answer!

So the first thing that stands out to me about these two different kinds of abuse is that are probably one of the most underreported of all types of abuse. Elderly and those with disabilities (or both) who are being taken care of by family, friends, and even in residential centers, can be abused and go years (or more) without getting help. This is most likely because elderly and persons with disabilities rely on the people who are often their abusers. They are often kept in homes or places where they cannot escape easily or seek help. Children who are abused sometimes go to school or adults that are being abused sometimes have friends that might pick up on the signs of abuse. However, when you have no other ties to the outside world, who is going to help you? My heart fell through the floor when I read over this in the chapter. It's absolutely sickening and horrifying to be trapped by your abusers. What's worse is that these abusers are often caretakers. They are the ones that are helping these people out of bed (or not), feeding them (or not), and providing other necessary needs (or not).

Another form of underreporting abuse against the elderly and people with disabilities is economic abuse. Often times abusers will take social security checks and other financial aid that are supposed to support and help the elderly or those with disabilities. This is just another way to keep someone, who often times cannot help themselves, under control. It also takes away one mean of escape from a situation.

Tying back to GLBTQ issues heterosexism and homophobia can affect elderly and people with disabilities as well. Often times GLBTQ elders or those with disabilities go unnoticed or unassisted. Also, caretakers and abusers can threaten to out them if they do not comply to the caretaker or abusers demands (such as giving them money or something else).

Another thing that people don't often think about is sexual abuse against the elderly or those with disabilities. Not only are the elderly and those with disabilities at risk for rape, molestation and other forms of sexual abuse, they can also be filmed and photographed for pornographic websites. A huge legal issue is beginning to surround this in terms of consent. Often times those with disabilities or the elderly are unable to give consent. Even though there is so much wrong with these situations, this is one legal protection one might be able to seek.

I wanted to post some statistics and prevalence rates for these types of abuse. However, it is so underreported that are no good statistics on the subject. One way researchers were trying to get information on elder abuse specifically is through autopsy reports. However, elders often times never receive autopsies or a request for an autopsy to find signs of abuse. Instead, their secret lies with their abusers who keep their abuse hidden for years and years.

So that is what I found most important in this chapter. It is extremely depressing, and broad, and therefore hard to find much specific information on. Again, e-mail me, comment, or FB me if you have any questions or comments.

-Alex