“...Since 60 they got much worse...”: Exploring older men’s experiences of female perpetrated intimate partner violence

Objective
There remains a notable gap in research specifically addressing the impacts and consequences of intimate partner violence among older men. By exploring the experiences of verbal, physical, and sexual aggression, as well as coercive control, among men who are 60 and older, we address this gap by providing a more comprehensive understanding of IPV dynamics among older male victims.
Methods
Thirty-five men over 60 responded to an online open-ended questionnaire that explored their experiences of aggression and control from a female partner. The questionnaire provided rich qualitative data which were subject to thematic analysis.
Findings
The findings represent if and how male victims of IPV experience abuse after the age of 60, the role age plays in the abuse, and the impacts of abuse into older age. Three main themes uncovered from the analysis are: 1) Experiences of abuse since turning 60; 2) Traumatic impact and consequences of abuse. and 3) Self-determination and processing of abuse.
Conclusions
The study underscores the urgent necessity to better understand how to support older men identifying and recognising signs of abuse but also to seek support to work through the traumatic impacts of abuse. It is crucial that services are equipped to meet the needs of marginalized victim groups, ensuring that all victims and survivors of IPV receive the support necessary for a healthy recovery. With an aging population, addressing this issue with adequate funding and resources is crucial to prevent it from becoming more significant.