Elder Abuse
Domestic violence can happen in any family. Domestic violence knows no gender or age barriers and occurs in all economic, racial, ethnic, religious, educational, professional, and societal levels. Domestic violence is not only for the young, it can occur in older families, too. Domestic violence can include not only physical violence, but emotional and financial abuse, as well.Domestic violence legally differs from elder abuse in that it is committed against a physically and mentally healthy adult and occurs at the hands of a spouse or companion. Montana statute provides extra protection for "older persons," which is defined as a person who is at least 60 years of age and "unable to provide personal protection from abuse, sexual abuse, neglect, or exploitation because of a mental or physical impairment or because of frailties or dependencies brought about by advanced age."(MCA 52-3-803) The criminal penalities involved are laid out in MCA 52-3-825.
For many older victims of domestic violence, there has been ongoing violence for many years. Yet for others, it does not begin until later in life, often aggravated by the change in lifestyle that comes with retirement, declining physical and mental health, and reduced sexual ability.
Regardless of which category you fall into, domestic violence is wrong, and it is not your fault. No one deserves to be hurt. Please click on the link below to read an article on addressing elder abuse.
Elder Abuse is a Problem That Demands Attention