Perpetrators of domestic abuse against older adults – a rapid evidence assessment

This rapid review examines the existing, published research on the demographic and health characteristics, and
the offending behaviours and histories of perpetrators of domestic violence and abuse against adults aged 60 and
over. Using a systematic methodology, searches were conducted in five databases: MEDLINE Complete, APA
PsychInfo, CINAHL Complete, SociINDEX with Full Text, Criminal Justice Abstracts with Full Text, and Web of
Science (Core Collection), resulting in 75 papers being included in the review. Much of the available evidence
comes from the elder abuse field, with few specific domestic abuse studies. The review found that non-intimate
partners, that is (adult) children or other family members, are the most frequently reported perpetrator group.
Most perpetrators tend to be male, and, where information is available, poor health, and drug and alcohol
problems are often reported. We conclude that we need to build more evidence on perpetrators of domestic
violence and abuse using a wider methodology, which should be situated within the conceptual lens of domestic
abuse, and that policy and practice should urgently review whether existing risk assessment tools and perpetrator
programmes are suitable given most domestic abuse of older adults is perpetrated by younger sons, daughters or
other family members.