over in Florida,7 yet few of these survivors seek domestic violence services or assistance from law enforcement. Social myths regarding people in later life, such as the perception that they are fragile and physically abused by caretakers but not their intimate partners,8 can contribute to the stigma surrounding intimate partner violence and increase the isolation experienced by older victims of domestic violence. In addition, active adult communities are often viewed as secure and safe environments, where residents do not need to be concerned with personal safety or the safety of others in the community.9 As identified in this year’s case review, intimate partner violence, including stalking and harrasment does occur in these communities. As such, it is important that staff and residents of residential communities receive information and training on the prevelance of domestic violence in later life, signs of abuse and resources that are available to survivors. In order to create culturally appropriate material for these populations, FCADV will host survivor listening groups with survivors aged 55 and older that will guide the development of outreach materials on the topic of intimate partner violence in later life. FCADV will ensure the availability of these materials to local community partners for distribution. In collaboration with partners such as the Department of Elder Affairs, The Office of the Attorney General, Division of Victim Services and the Department of Children and Families, FCADV should create a training curriculum related to Intimate Partner Violence in Later Life for dispatchers, mental health professionals, physicians, law enforcement officers, victim advocates, first responders and staff of the 55 and older living communities. Training topics should focus on tactics of coercive control used by perpetrators of intimate partner violence in later life, signs of intimate partner violence and the relationship between elder abuse and intimate partner homicide. Collaboration among those who interface with the age 55 and older population is necessary to ensure seamless coordination and assistance for survivors of intimate partner violence. Survivors may be reluctant to disclose the violence to physicians, healthcare providers or to law enforcement due to several factors including, but not limited to: fear that disclosure will generate an abuse report, fear that their families will find out, feelings of shame and embarrassment at disclosing the abuse and/or a belief that domestic violence should not be publicized. Professionals and bystanders need the knowledge and skills to identify intimate partner violence in later life in order to provide appropriate referrals and resources. Training a diverse audience on topics related to the specific cultural dynamics and needs of older communities is necessary to identify intimate partner violence and hold perpetrators accountable for their violence. Training topics should include recognizing dynamics of coercive control in later life, screening for intimate partner abuse, special concerns of survivors, specific outreach strategies for the later in life population and how to respond when intimate partner violence is occuring within the 55 and older community. www.fcadv.org JUNE 2017 / FACES OF FATALITY 9 6See s. 960.001, F.S. 7https://www.55places.com/florida 8http://www.ncall.us/dynamics-of-abuse-in-later-life 9http://www.baby-boomer-retirement.com/2013/10/myths-about-over-55-retirement.html
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