Domestic violence: trends and patterns in older adults’ victims. A Portuguese ten-year study

Domestic violence affects individuals across all age groups. It persists throughout the lifespan, yet there remains a significant gap in understanding the profile of offenders and the specific nature and impact of domestic violence against older adults. This study aimed to address this gap by examining the prevalence, characteristics, and consequences of domestic violence against older adults (DVOA) in the Porto district, Northern Portugal, between 2010 and 2020. A retrospective cohort analysis of 20.841 domestic violence cases reported to police authorities identified only 1.415 (6.8%) involving older adults, indicating a low number of reported cases. Psychological or emotional violence was the most prevalent form of abuse (78.5%), with 51.7% of cases involving younger family members, particularly children or children-in-law. Additionally, 25.5% of offenders were involved in multiple cases, underscoring the need for targeted intergenerational interventions and sustained support systems to protect this vulnerable population.