Domestic violence is the most frequent form of violence experienced by older women. For a large percentage of women in this age group, home is the most dangerous place to live. Available data show that perpetrators are primarily husbands or partners, and the abuse suffered is usually “violence with a history”—beginning in the early years of marriage and continuing throughout their lives.
The main factors perpetuating intimate partner violence are deep-seated dominant beliefs regarding the inherent superiority of men. These are entrenched values and beliefs that grant men exclusive rights of ownership over the bodies of women and girls.
However, despite the scale of the phenomenon, the absence of older women from both research and existing public policies is a given fact. Indeed, due to the lack of epidemiological data on gender-based violence in old age, the phenomenon is often described as one of “invisibility.”
In this context, Diotima Centre has conducted a study consisting of two (2) parts:
A) A brief presentation of data from existing studies, including statistical information.
B) The results of a small-scale qualitative research project, featuring biographical interviews with older survivors of gender-based violence.
The research is part of the VoiceOver 55+ project, which aims to empower women aged 55 and above, while promoting primary prevention, protection, and awareness-raising on gender rights issues.
Researcher – Author: Maria Liapi
Maria Liapi
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**The “VoiceOver 55+” project is implemented within the framework of the PREVENT program, with Diotima Centre as the implementing body. The program “Preventing gender-based violence and violence against children” (PREVENT) aims to prevent and combat gender-based violence and violence against children by supporting Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in Greece and Cyprus active in these fields, as well as by enhancing their knowledge, capacities, and sustainability. PREVENT is co-funded by the European Union through the Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values (CERV) program, the Bodossaki Foundation, and the NGO Support Centre, with a total grant amount of €2.3 million. The coordinator of PREVENT is the Bodossaki Foundation (Greece), in partnership with the NGO Support Centre (Cyprus). .
Funded by the European Union. The views and opinions expressed are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union, the European Commission, the Bodossaki Foundation, or the NGO Support Centre. Neither the European Union, the European Commission, the Bodossaki Foundation, nor the NGO Support Centre can be held responsible for the views expressed.
