Women are subject to health disparities across the life course, owing to multiple factors, including sexism, ageism, and other forms of structural discrimination and mistreatment which have been linked with greater risks for sexual violence and related trauma as well as resulting problems with physical and mental health as well as overall wellbeing. Thus, a more intersectional approach to healthcare and social service delivery for older women is expressly needed, particularly since the COVID-19 pandemic, to address UN Global goals of advancing health and wellness, gender equality, less disparities altogether, and with this, greater justice. As such, in this article, timely needs for practice, policy, research, and education will be explored, to address intersectional prejudice and discrimination, chiefly among older women who are members of nondominant populations, to improve healthcare and social services and social justice, principally in later life.
Background and Objectives: Older adults are not regarded as sexual and are widely excluded from sexual violence (SV) research, policies, and practice; little is known about SV against older adults and its prevention.Research Design and Methods: An 8-database scoping review explored perceptions of SV against older adults, barriers to prevention, and solutions for prevention. Included were peer-reviewed and gray sources published since 2010, supported by primary research, on perceptions of SV in later life and prevention. A thematic analysis was conducted to explore key themes.Results: Of 148 potentially relevant sources returned, 95 were fully read after screening titles and abstracts; 19 were critically appraised and 18 were assessed for analysis. Seven overarching themes emerged, surrounding (a) knowledge and awareness, (b) research, (c) policy changes and development, (d) intersectional prejudice, (e) SV being taboo, (f) sociocultural differences, and (g) confusion regarding the definition and nature of SV.Discussion and Implications: These findings offer relevant considerations for practice, policy, and research, which will be further discussed.
Bystander-based sexual violence (SV) prevention trainings are offered on college campuses across the United States to meet federal Title IX requirements, as they have proven to be an effective strategy for violence prevention. Greek-affiliated students (fraternity and sorority members) are at a higher risk of sexual assault than their peers; however, few trainings consider the specific needs of this population, and program adaptations for this high-risk group may be needed. This scoping review identifies and describes the bystander trainings delivered to Greek-affiliated students in the US and Canada. An eight-database search was conducted following PRISMA-ScR guidelines. The review identified 81 unique sources, with 18 meeting the inclusion criteria. Eleven specific training programs were identified, encompassing qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-method studies. The thematic analysis revealed best practices, including the importance of peer leaders, interactive sessions, and tailored content to Greek culture, as well as barriers such as a lack of engagement and an inadequate session length. The review underscores the need for tailored interventions to effectively address the unique cultural characteristics and high-risk nature of Greek-affiliated students. These findings provide valuable insights for improving the design and implementation of bystander interventions to enhance their efficacy in preventing sexual violence within this population.
This article explores a televised campaign featuring poetry by survivors of sex trafficking, a growing domestic and international problem resulting in symptoms of posttraumatic stress. An integrative framework, incorporating feminist autobiography theory with trauma theory, empowerment theory, and a strengths perspective, is used to explore these poems and how poetry can be used to address sexual trauma, endorsing the progress of feminism and feminist methodology. Further support is provided through a systematic scoping review of extant research on the use of poetry to address sexual trauma. Implications are offered for researchers, educators, practitioners, and policymakers in this emerging area of study.
3 May 2024 in Journal of Progressive Human Services