Gender-based Intimate Partner Violence Against Older Women. A Qualitative Analysis of its Characteristics and its Impact on Health

Despite increasing numbers of studies on gender-based intimate partner violence, little is known about its specific characteristics in the case of older women. This is difficult to understand and justify given that the population is progressively ageing while recognition of the intersectional paradigm is growing. This paper analyses some of the specific characteristics of gender-based intimate partner violence in the case of older women. Eight in-depth interviews were conducted with women survivors and two discussion groups were arranged, one with professionals working in centers to help survivors of gender-based violence and another involving associated older women. The results show that gender-based intimate partner violence against older women has specific characteristics, which primarily relate to the effects of the intersection between sexism and ageism that permeate our society.