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Resources & Publications

Listed here are a variety of resources on domestic abuse in later life. They are grouped by type of resource. Click on the underlined title to open the document or on the link to the WCADV store to order. If you cannot download a file, please contact us to print one for you.

For information and resources on other web sites, please see the NCALL Links section.

In order to view/open pdf documents you will need Adobe Reader installed on your computer (click here for free Adobe Reader download). To save a pdf document to your computer, right-click on the link and click on "save target as".

Fact sheets and resource lists
Articles on abuse in later life
Outside publications
NCALL/WCADV publications and resources

FACT SHEETS AND RESOURCE LISTS

Abuse in Later Life Power & Control Wheel
A power and control wheel specifically designed by NCALL/WCADV with older victims in mind. The additional pages list many abusive behaviors.

Bibliography
A complete bibliography of articles and publications on domestic abuse in later life.

Community Assessment Tool
This tool was developed by NCALL staff as part of the "Building a Coalition to Address Domestic Abuse in Later Life" curriculum. The training is designed to help communities start a new or strengthen an existing coalition on domestic abuse in later life. The community assessment tool will help your community determine if the training would be helpful for you. You may want to have several people in your community complete the tool and compare results. You can download the complete curriculum at www.ncall.us/docs/BuildingCoalitionTrainerRev.pdf.

Frequently Asked Questions About Abuse in Later Life
This brief document provides answers to commonly asked questions regarding abuse in later life. Appropriate for victims and others.

The Interrelationship Between Domestic Violence and Elder Abuse
This one-page graphic illustrates how abuse in later life is the intersection of elder abuse and domestic abuse.

Community Assessment Tool - Spanish
Here is a Spanish version of the tool to help your community determine if the training would be helpful for you.

NCALL Resource Directory
Directory of abuse in later life services available in the U.S. and territories, organized by state and type of service. Updated 2008. Appendices include National Organizations, State Domestic Violence Coalitions, State Sexual Assault Coalitions, State Adult Protective Services Offices, Elder Shelters, and Support Groups Tailored for Older Abused Women. Appendices can be downloaded separately here.

Power and Control Wheel - Abuse of People with Developmental Disabilities by a Caregiver
A power and control wheel specifically designed with people with developmental disabilities in mind. The wheel lists many abusive behaviors as well as positive behaviors shown by caregivers.

Recognizing Signs of Abuse - Spanish
This document lists, in Spanish, some signs to look for if you suspect abuse. The document also lists some abuser behaviors.

Recognizing Signs of Abuse - English
This document lists some signs to look for if you suspect abuse. The document also lists some abuser behaviors.

Research on Abuse in Later Life
This 2-page handout provides statistics and research on abuse in later life.

Stalking in Later Life-Information for Law Enforcement and Others
This 3-page document addresses and defines stalking in later life. Stalking behaviors, the effects on victims, and specific suggestions to law enforcement; along with corroboration and documentation tips are included.

Stalking in Later Life-Information for Victims
This 3-page document addresses and defines stalking in later life. Stalking behaviors, effects on the victim, and suggestions to older victims are included.

Tips for Working with Older Victims of Abuse
Two-page handout describing ways service providers can effectively provide support when working with older victims of abuse.

Video Guide
NCALL's guide to selected videos on domestic abuse in later life.

ARTICLES ON ABUSE IN LATER LIFE

"And Then He Hit Me"
This link takes you to the Jan/Feb 2006 AARP Magazine Feature by David France. Too ashamed or too scared to speak up, tens of thousands of 50-plus victims of domestic violence suffer in silence.
PDF version for printing

Assessing for Abuse in Later Life
A guide aimed at health care professionals to assist in increasing identification of elder and domestic abuse and improving responses. By Bonnie Brandl, 2004.

Domestic Abuse in Later Life
A review of research studies on domestic abuse in later life. By Bonnie Brandl and Loree Cook-Daniels.

Domestic Abuse in Later Life research studies
This series of papers defines domestic abuse in later life as male and female victims, age 50 and older, abused by someone in a trusted, ongoing relationship like a spouse/partner, family member, or caregiver. The victims lived primarily in the community, not institutions (e.e., nursing homes). Studies from the United States and Canada were included. The research in this series, by Bonnie Brandl and Loree Cook-Daniels, was compiled to create the review with the same title.

Domestic Violence in Later Life: An Overview for Health Care Providers
This article discusses improving the ability of physicians to identify domestic violence. By Bonnie Brandl and Deb L. Horan.

It's Our Responsibility
An article encouraging domestic violence service providers to provide services to older victims.

Mandatory Reporting of Elder Abuse: Implications for Domestic Violence Advocates
Americans are growing older and increasingly domestic violence programs are working with older victims. In many states, domestic violence staff members are mandated reporters of elder abuse. This issue paper is designed to assist domestic violence advocates in finding the necessary information to engage in critical analysis of how to provide safety and women-defined or victim-centered advocacy in an environment of mandatory reporting of elder abuse. Several key issues must be examined and analyzed when considering best practice and development of policies, protocols and procedures. This project, in response to requests for information and technical assistance by domestic violence advocates, was funded by the Office on Violence Against Women, with legal research provided by the American Bar Association Commission on Law and Aging. By Bonnie Brandl, 2005.

Name It, Claim It
First published in the WCADV Education Journal, this article focuses on recognizing and addressing abuse in later life. By Bonnie Brandl and Jane Raymond, 2005.

Power and Control: Understanding Domestic Abuse in Later Life
This article explains the difference between caregiver stress versus power and control as the basis for elder abuse. By Bonnie Brandl.

Programs for Batterers - A Discussion Paper
An overview of issues involved in abuser education and treatment, including history, areas of concern, resources and initiatives as of 1990. By Bonnie Brandl, 1990.

Unrecognized Elder Abuse Victims-Older Abused Women
An overview of elder abuse and specifically domestic abuse in later life, by Bonnie Brandl and Jane Raymond.

OTHER PUBLICATIONS

Elder Mistreatment: Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation in an Aging America
This publication takes a giant step toward broadening our understanding of the mistreatment of the elderly and recommends specific research and funding strategies that can be used to deepen it. The book includes a discussion of the conceptual, methodological, and logistical issues needed to create a solid research base as well as the ethical concerns that must be considered when working with older subjects. It also looks at problems in determination of a report's reliability and the role of physicians, EMTs, and others who are among the first to recognize situations of mistreatment. Richard J. Bonnie and Robert B. Wallace, Editors, Panel to Review Risk and Prevalence of Elder Abuse and Neglect, National Research Council.
View ordering information

Undue Influence: The Criminal Justice Response (CD)
This CD describes a full-day training curriculum designed primarily for law enforcement officers to explore the parallels between undue influence (UI) and domestic violence, stalking and grooming to better understand the dynamics of some financial exploitation cases and recognize effective investigative strategies. Law enforcement officers will learn to use expertise they already have in domestic violence and sexual abuse cases to effectively identify and investigate financial exploitation where UI may be present.
This training may be adapted to meet the needs of various audiences. These materials are divided into five sections: Overview, Event Planner Materials, The Teaching Plan, Participant Materials and Resources.
Co-authored by Bonnie Brandl, M.S.W., Candace Heisler, JD, and Lori Stiegel, JD

You can download these segments of the CD here:
Teaching Plan (PDF)
Participant Materials (PDF)
PowerPoint Slides (right-click and select "Save target as" - then navigate to a folder on your computer. You must have Microsoft PowerPoint or compatible software to view this file.)

The entire CD is now available for only $5 to cover shipping and handling. It includes all the written material, video footage explaining how to use the material and clips of some of the trainers presenting material in Omaha. Call (608)255-0539 or order online.

NCALL/WCADV PUBLICATIONS AND RESOURCES

Anticipate: Identifying Victim Strengths and Planning for Safety Concerns The purpose of this training module is to enhance the safety planning skills of professionals who work with older victims and/or people with disabilities. The target audience is professionals from domestic violence, sexual assault, the disability and aging network, and elder abuse/adult protective services. The training was created to facilitate dialogue across disciplines and provide participants the opportunity to share expertise and knowledge from their field. Download from the following links:
     Trainer’s Guide
     Participant Handouts
     PowerPoint Presentation
Safety planning tools (Your local organization’s safety planning tools may also be used):
     Sample Safety Plan
     Safety Planning: A Guide for Individuals with Physical Disabilities
     Safety Planning: How You Can Help (Cognitive Disabilities)
     Safety Planning Brochure available for purchase from the WCADV Store or view online)

Building a Coalition to Address Domestic Abuse in Later Life - Revised 2004
A curriculum for communities interested in forming a collaboration to address domestic abuse in later life. It includes a training guide (with a community assessment tool) and a participant manual.
Download Trainers Guide (1.64MB)
Download Participant Manual (813KB)

Developing Services for Older Abused Women
This resource provides information on developing services for older abused women in an existing domestic abuse program. Issues addressed include: the prevalence of the problem; defining the problem; understanding older abused women; designing services for older abused women; working together to make a difference. (1997, Bound handbook, 42 pages)

Golden Voices: Support Groups for Older Abused Women
This resource was developed based on interviews with older womens' support group facilitators from across the country. It also includes quotes from women attending the support groups. This manual will help people who are interested in developing support groups for older victims of domestic abuse. (91 pages, 249K PDF)

Interactive Training Exercises on Abuse in Later Life
The purpose of this manual is to provide trainers with directions for interactive exercises focusing on several key training points related to abuse of older persons and/or people with disabilities. The exercises are designed for multiple target audiences such as professionals from domestic violence/sexual assault, elder abuse/adult protective services, aging, health care, justice and others.
The manual provides detailed directions for 16 exercises that trainers can adapt to meet the needs of many audiences. Most of the exercises in this manual were created at Curriculum Development events hosted by WCADV. All have been run successfully for many audiences.

Program Ideas Grid for Domestic Violence Programs
This resource offers ideas to domestic violence programs on how to enhance and expand their services to older victims of domestic violence. Program ideas on accessibility, community coordinated response, community outreach, policy and protocols, printed materials, services, training and other resources are included.

Safety Planning Brochure
For domestic abuse victims of any age who may be abused by or afraid of their spouse/partner, boy/girlfriend, adult child, or other family member. Safety planning helps develop tools in advance of potentially dangerous situations.
Available from the WCADV Store or view online.

Safety Planning: How You Can Help
This booklet offers suggestions to caring individuals willing to help persons with cognitive disabilities who are being abused. Persons with cognitive disabilities may not recognize that they are being abused, or are afraid to tell anyone. This booklet guides individuals to create a safety plan with the cognitively disabled person that fits his or her specific needs depending on their level of functioning. Free download.

Safety Planning: A Guide for individuals with Physical Disabilities
This safety plan is designed to help adults with physical disabilities who have been or may be abused by an intimate partner, spouse, adult child, other family member, personal assistant, or caregiver. This safety plan can also be useful for people with mental, cognitive, developmental disabilities, and those who have hidden disabilities. Included are sections on: planning for an explosive incident; safety during an explosive incident; safety in your home; safety in public settings; and safety with a restraining order. (21 page booklet)