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Overcoming Barriers: Exploring Specialist Interventions for Supporting Older Women to Escape Domestic Violence and Abuse

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Violence Against Older Women, Volume II

Part of the book series: Palgrave Studies in Victims and Victimology ((PSVV))

Abstract

In this chapter, we problematise current discourse and policy which serves to marginalise or neglect older women. In doing so, we highlight the ways in which the tendency to define, or misname, older women’s experiences as elder abuse ignores the gendered dynamics of power and control inherent in DVA. Moreover, the discourse of elder abuse leads to the neglect of the subjective experiences and needs of this particular group resulting in the homogenisation of older women’s lived experience. In contrast, we will use empirical data collected from semi-structured interviews conducted with practitioners (n = 4) employed as Independent Domestic Violence Advocates (IDVAs) in the DVA sector in Northern England to illustrate the specificity of older women’s experiences. Additionally, we will explore the policy and practices of EVA Women’s Aid, a UK-based agency which offers refuge accommodation and specialist support for women aged 45 and over.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK

    Michaela Rogers

  2. EVA Women’s Aid, Redcar, UK

    Richinda Taylor

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  1. Michaela Rogers
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  2. Richinda Taylor
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Correspondence to Michaela Rogers .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Durham Law School, Durham University, Durham, UK

    Hannah Bows

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Rogers, M., Taylor, R. (2019). Overcoming Barriers: Exploring Specialist Interventions for Supporting Older Women to Escape Domestic Violence and Abuse. In: Bows, H. (eds) Violence Against Older Women, Volume II. Palgrave Studies in Victims and Victimology. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-16597-0_5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-16597-0_5

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  • Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-16596-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-16597-0

  • eBook Packages: Law and CriminologyLaw and Criminology (R0)

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