Fighting Against Many Walls: The Help-Seeking Experience of Supporters of Older Abuse Victims

Silvia Fraga Dominguez; Jennifer Storey; Emily Glorney

doi:10.1017/S0714980825000121

Fighting Against Many Walls: The Help-Seeking Experience of Supporters of Older Abuse Victims

Silvia Fraga Dominguez (Corresponding / Lead Author), Jennifer Storey, Emily Glorney

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

Background. Elder abuse (EA) often remains hidden, and many victims do not interact with
formal systems. Concerned persons (CPs) are family, friends, and neighbours who play an
essential role in supporting EA victims.
Objective. The aim of this study was to understand CPs’ role and help-seeking experiences.
Methods Nineteen self-identified CPs shared their experience of being involved in an EA case
via an interview and/or survey, with responses analysed qualitatively.
Findings. CPs were primarily the victims’ female relatives, often related to the perpetrator, and
had sought help from a wide range of formal and informal sources, facing many barriers in
protecting victims from harm. Challenges commonly related to formal services and EA
perpetrators. Through knowing about the abuse and/or seeking help, participants experienced
negative impacts, particularly psychological ones.
Discussion. Findings suggest that CPs can play a key role in supporting EA victims but require
further support and recognition from services to fulfil this role.

Original language	English
Journal	Canadian Journal on Aging / La Revue canadienne du vieillissement
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1017/S0714980825000121
Publication status	Published (VoR) - 28 Mar 2025

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10.1017/S0714980825000121Licence: CC BY-NC-ND

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title = "Fighting Against Many Walls: The Help-Seeking Experience of Supporters of Older Abuse Victims",

abstract = "Background. Elder abuse (EA) often remains hidden, and many victims do not interact withformal systems. Concerned persons (CPs) are family, friends, and neighbours who play anessential role in supporting EA victims.Objective. The aim of this study was to understand CPs{\textquoteright} role and help-seeking experiences.Methods Nineteen self-identified CPs shared their experience of being involved in an EA casevia an interview and/or survey, with responses analysed qualitatively.Findings. CPs were primarily the victims{\textquoteright} female relatives, often related to the perpetrator, andhad sought help from a wide range of formal and informal sources, facing many barriers inprotecting victims from harm. Challenges commonly related to formal services and EAperpetrators. Through knowing about the abuse and/or seeking help, participants experiencednegative impacts, particularly psychological ones.Discussion. Findings suggest that CPs can play a key role in supporting EA victims but requirefurther support and recognition from services to fulfil this role.",

author = "{Fraga Dominguez}, Silvia and Jennifer Storey and Emily Glorney",

year = "2025",

month = mar,

day = "28",

doi = "10.1017/S0714980825000121",

language = "English",

journal = "Canadian Journal on Aging / La Revue canadienne du vieillissement",

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T1 - Fighting Against Many Walls: The Help-Seeking Experience of Supporters of Older Abuse Victims

AU - Fraga Dominguez, Silvia

AU - Storey, Jennifer

AU - Glorney, Emily

PY - 2025/3/28

Y1 - 2025/3/28

N2 - Background. Elder abuse (EA) often remains hidden, and many victims do not interact withformal systems. Concerned persons (CPs) are family, friends, and neighbours who play anessential role in supporting EA victims.Objective. The aim of this study was to understand CPs’ role and help-seeking experiences.Methods Nineteen self-identified CPs shared their experience of being involved in an EA casevia an interview and/or survey, with responses analysed qualitatively.Findings. CPs were primarily the victims’ female relatives, often related to the perpetrator, andhad sought help from a wide range of formal and informal sources, facing many barriers inprotecting victims from harm. Challenges commonly related to formal services and EAperpetrators. Through knowing about the abuse and/or seeking help, participants experiencednegative impacts, particularly psychological ones.Discussion. Findings suggest that CPs can play a key role in supporting EA victims but requirefurther support and recognition from services to fulfil this role.

AB - Background. Elder abuse (EA) often remains hidden, and many victims do not interact withformal systems. Concerned persons (CPs) are family, friends, and neighbours who play anessential role in supporting EA victims.Objective. The aim of this study was to understand CPs’ role and help-seeking experiences.Methods Nineteen self-identified CPs shared their experience of being involved in an EA casevia an interview and/or survey, with responses analysed qualitatively.Findings. CPs were primarily the victims’ female relatives, often related to the perpetrator, andhad sought help from a wide range of formal and informal sources, facing many barriers inprotecting victims from harm. Challenges commonly related to formal services and EAperpetrators. Through knowing about the abuse and/or seeking help, participants experiencednegative impacts, particularly psychological ones.Discussion. Findings suggest that CPs can play a key role in supporting EA victims but requirefurther support and recognition from services to fulfil this role.

UR - https://www.open-access.bcu.ac.uk/16281/

U2 - 10.1017/S0714980825000121

DO - 10.1017/S0714980825000121

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JO - Canadian Journal on Aging / La Revue canadienne du vieillissement

JF - Canadian Journal on Aging / La Revue canadienne du vieillissement

ER -

Fighting Against Many Walls: The Help-Seeking Experience of Supporters of Older Abuse Victims

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