Research by Regioplan reveals that one in twenty older adults (aged 65 and over) living at home is a victim of elder abuse. Although the government has paid increasing attention to domestic violence in recent years and introduced a mandatory reporting code, ongoing research into this issue remains essential. Thanks to a received inheritance, the Truyen Fund has been established with the mission of gaining in-depth insight into the causes and consequences of elder abuse. PhD candidate Anne van de Bovekamp is examining various legal and psychological aspects of elder abuse. The ultimate aim is to reduce this form of violence and to improve prevention and protection measures.
Elder abuse can take many forms. Older people may be financially exploited, suffer psychological or physical harm, be subjected to sexual abuse, or experience neglect. In the Netherlands, relatively little is known about how frequently these different forms occur. Mapping the prevalence and nature of elder abuse is therefore an important first step in the research.
The research also focuses on the risk factors associated with (repeated) victimisation. Such factors are crucial for organisations like Veilig Thuis (Safe at Home), which develop intervention plans. By gaining a better understanding of the warning signs that indicate (recurrent) victimisation, these plans can be applied more effectively and in a more targeted way.
Cases of elder abuse sometimes go to court. In some instances, the victim’s age or family relationship with the perpetrator is considered an aggravating factor, but this is not done consistently. The research aims to clarify which forms of elder abuse are brought before the courts, how these cases are detected, what measures are taken to prevent recurrence, and which considerations influence sentencing decisions.
In this way, the research not only generates valuable knowledge, but also offers practical tools for policy development, support services, and legal proceedings. In short, the research contributes to a future in which older people are better protected against abuse.
If you have any questions, please contact the Limburg University Fund via info@ufl.nl.
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IBAN: NL21 INGB 0653 6632 42
Reference: Truyen Fund
