A Stormont MLA has spoken of the “devastating” effects of domestic abuse against older people, stating that victims can feel forgotten and often depend on their abusers for support.
Independent MLA for East Derry, Claire Sugden, raised the issue of the crossover in elder care and domestic abuse in a written question to the health minister, noting that more than 1,500 cases of domestic abuse against people over 60 was reported in 2022/23 - an increase of 15%.
“My office has been contacted by constituents who have experienced this abuse and the effect is devastating. Often the abuse is carried out by a family member, someone the older person has loved and cared for.”
She said the abuse was not just physical, but could include emotional manipulation, financial control or being cut off from the outside world.
“These aren’t easy situations, and for many walking away doesn’t feel like an option, particularly when the victim relies on the perpetrator for everyday needs,” she said.
With domestic abuse against older people typically not receiving the same level of focus, she said it was vital that older victims knew they were not forgotten and support exists for them.
“Domestic abuse does not stop at pension age, and neither should our efforts to tackle it,” she said.
A spokesperson for Women’s Aid Federation NI said every year they supported hundreds of older women experiencing domestic abuse – in some cases for decades.
“Older victims of domestic abuse face several barriers, including misconceptions about what abuse looks like, the harmful belief that marriage means staying with a perpetrator, and the perpetrator’s behaviour being hidden under the guise of being the victim’s caregiver, especially if the victim’s decision-making capacity is being questioned,” they said.
Calling it crucial that society recognised that domestic abuse manifests differently across different groups of people, they said the added vulnerability of older people made it especially important for professionals interacting with them to remain vigilant and help them access support.
In his response, Health Minister Mike Nesbitt said there was a joint effort with the Department of Justice and other statutory agencies to address the crossover of elder care and domestic abuse – set out in the Domestic and Sexual Abuse Strategy (2024-31) launched in September.
The strategy recognises that anyone can be a victim of domestic and/or sexual abuse, and that some can face extra challenges in getting support.
For older people, this can include generational views about faith, loyalty, shame and guilt.
“In some cases, they may find it difficult to report if the person is abusing them is also their carer or they are financially dependent on them,” he said.
The department is also developing an Adult Protection Bill which aims to introduce additional protections.
Health and Social Care staff are also provided with training to identify and respond to domestic abuse.
This includes considering the contexts in which it can take place and to dispel myths about who can be affected.
