Sexual abuse of the elderly: A hidden subject

Background and aims: The elderly population in Iran is increasing due to rising life expectancy and improvements in health, which presents certain challenges to society. One of these challenges is the sexual abuse of the elderly, an issue that often receives little attention. This research aimed to examine the sexual abuse of the elderly. Methods: This study utilized a qualitative approach, specifically the phenomenological method. Data collection was conducted through targeted sampling, focusing on 15 elderly women residing in Arak city. A semi-structured interview method was employed to gather information. The data were analyzed based on the hermeneutic approach, transforming participants’ descriptions of their experiences of sexual abuse into structural descriptions. Results: The analysis of the data revealed two main themes: "contexts" and "effects and consequences," which included 16 sub-themes and 48 specific semantic units. Key contextual factors identified were "economic poverty," "lack of awareness among caregivers," and "the elderly's inability to express their needs." Significant consequences highlighted included feelings of invasion of privacy, silence, embarrassment, and disappointment. Conclusion: Sexual abuse encompasses harassment, seduction, and violence, placing the elderly at risk for various reasons. To prevent abuse, it is essential to increase public awareness, provide educational resources, and offer counseling to support families while educating caregivers about the rights of the elderly. Creating a safe environment and encouraging seniors to report signs of abuse are also critical steps in addressing this issue.