@misc{8698480,
  abstract     = {{Background: Sexual violence (SV) is an important public health problem which may cause long-lasting health problems. SV in older adults remains neglected in research, policies and practices. Valid SV prevalence estimates and associated risk factors in older adults are currently unavailable. 
Objective: To measure lifetime and past 12-months sexual victimisation in older adults living in Belgium, its correlates, assailant characteristics and the way that victims framed their SV experiences. 
Design: Cross-sectional general population study. 
Setting: Community-dwelling, assisted living and nursing homes. 
Participants: 513 people of 70 years and older living in Belgium. 
Methods: SV was measured using behaviourally specific questions based on a broad definition of SV. Participants were selected via a cluster random probability sampling with a random route finding approach. Information on sexual victimisation, correlates, assailant characteristics and framing was collected via structured face-to-face interviews.
Results: Lifetime SV prevalence was 44% (55% F, 29% M). Past 12-months prevalence was 8% (9% F, 8% M). Female sex and a higher number of sexual partners were associated with lifetime SV (p <.05), non-heterosexual sexual orientation with past 12-months SV (p <.05). Correlates generally linked to elder abuse and neglect were not linked with SV. ‘Someone unknown’ was identified as most common assailant. 
Conclusions: SV appears to be common in older adults in Belgium. Both correlates and assailant characteristics seem to differ from previous studies on elder abuse and neglect. Recognising older adults as a risk group for sexual victimisation in research, policies and practices is of the utmost importance.}},
  author       = {{Nobels, Anne and Cismaru Inescu, Adina and Nisen, Laurent and Hahaut, Bastien and Beaulieu, Marie and Lemmens, Gilbert and Adam, Stéphane and Schapansky, Evelyn and Vandeviver, Christophe and Keygnaert, Ines}},
  keywords     = {{Sexual abuse,sexual assault,elder abuse and neglect,ageing}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  number       = {{08/03/2021}},
  pages        = {{21}},
  series       = {{MEDRXIV}},
  title        = {{Sexual violence in older adults : a Belgian prevalence study}},
  url          = {{http://doi.org/10.1101/2021.03.04.21252934}},
  year         = {{2021}},
}

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