Abstract

Croatia is one of the European countries with the highest prevalence of domestic violence (DV) and without a national policy on elder abuse. The aim of the study was to determine the differences between elderly victims (EV) of DV aged 60+ in comparison with younger DV victims (aged <60). A total out of 3164 adults who visited the Counseling Center for DV in Zagreb, 200 of them were aged 60+. Structured face-to-face interviews to collect socio-demographic data, types of abuse, perpetrators and reporting of abuse, and types of interventions were applied. To identify differences between the elderly (60+) and younger (<60) DV victims regarding the socio-demographic characteristics, characteristics of abuse, and related interventions Pearson’s χ2 test and z-test with the Bonferroni’s correction were applied. Strength of association between categorical variables was determined by Cramer’s V. Binary logistic regression determined independent contributions of socio-demographic characteristics, characteristics of DV, and related interventions in predicting types of abuse experienced by elder DV victims (60+). EV were more likely lower educated, widowed, retired, abused by their children, siblings, and other family members, experienced longer DV, financial and a combination of physical and financial abuse compared to younger DV victims. EV rarely report DV to the authorities due to financial or health-related dependency on family members who are often the perpetrators. Consequently, prevention and intervention by competent authorities are limited.