Victims of sexual abuse aged 60 and older, an observational study from the Department of Forensic Medicine of Paris, France.

INTRODUCTION

The global population of individuals aged 60 years and older is projected to nearly double by 2050, highlighting the growing importance of addressing sexual abuse in older patients. These abuses remain poorly understood and underreported, which may be related to factors such as cognitive impairments, social isolation, societal taboos, and ageism. This retrospective study aimed to analyze cases of sexual abuse reported by patients aged 60 years and older at the Department of Forensic Medicine (DFM) in Paris, France, over a six-year period.

METHODS

We conducted a single-center retrospective study and collected medical and forensic data on all patients aged 60 years and older at the time of the assault, who were examined at the DFM between 01/01/2018 and 31/12/2023. The study adhered to ethical standards in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation and received approval from the Ethics Committee of Cochin University Hospital.

RESULTS

Fifty-eight patients were included, representing 1.5 % of the sexual abuse victims examined in the department during the study period. The majority of victims were female (84.5 %). The average age of the victims was 69.4 years, and many had vulnerabilities, primarily psychological/cognitive (55.2 %) and physical (19.0 %). Assaults mostly occurred in the victim's home (48.1 %) or in public places (13.5 %), with known perpetrators identified in 62.7 % of cases. Associated physical abuse was documented in 44.8 % of cases. Forensic examinations revealed extragenital injuries in 43.1 % of cases and anogenital injuries in 21.6 % of cases.

DISCUSSION: The study confirms the likely underreporting of sexual abuse against older patients, particularly male patients, and highlights the heightened vulnerabilities in this specific population. This study also emphasizes the severity of these abuses and the multifaceted challenges in detecting, reporting, and addressing such crimes. Tackling these challenges is crucial for the development of effective prevention and intervention strategies tailored to protect older patients.