Abuse of older women – Long-term suffering and stigma Sirkka Perttu MSc (Health Care), RN WLF

Long-term suffering of older women Suffering through isolation and control; the older woman is psychologically abused by ageist and sexist insults (e.g., ‘old whore’) Older women being more vulnerable physically due to illness and aging processes; feeling less attractive and thus suffering becomes deeper and more emotionally This turns him into a tyrant: the men are frustrated, as they do not receive the care to which they were accustomed; the women feel frustrated and guilty because of their diminished ability to provide the expected care. Enduring bodily pain; Older women discover the signs of violence as the inner pain and suffering. Is it from violence or old age? (e.g., ‘my body was broken anyway’). Zvi Eisikovits & Tova Band-Winterstein 2015. Dimensions of Suffering among Old and Young Battered Women. J Fam Viol (2015) 30:49–62. 29/08/2017 Sirkka Perttu, Daphne project 2016-2018

Long-term suffering of older women Estrangement, alienation and loneliness in one’s own dwelling; time as a source of suffering; The older woman describes a more static experience in which violence enters and it is there to stay. The way she lives with this is as with ‘a heavy stone’ internalized in her heart. The routine is dictated by the time sequences necessary to recover from one violent event while expecting the next. For the old woman, time is structured by years. Cumulative suffering. Both women recognize the need to deal with death and both expect it, but the old woman views death as part of the life cycle. Zvi Eisikovits & Tova Band-Winterstein 2015. Dimensions of Suffering among Old and Young Battered Women. J Fam Viol (2015) 30:49–62. 29/08/2017 Sirkka Perttu, Daphne project 2016-2018

Sirkka Perttu, Daphne project 2016-2018 What is stigma? A type of marking or tattoo that was cut or burned into the skin of criminals and slaves in order to visibly identify them as morally polluted persons (Goffman, Erving 2009. Stigma: Notes on the Management of Spoiled Identity) Stigma is a mark of shame (häpeäleima) or disgrace No value to society in general Stigma is a process by which the reaction of others spoils normal identity. 29/08/2017 Sirkka Perttu, Daphne project 2016-2018

Stigma due to abuse - Stigma internalization Stigma internalization is the extent to which people internalize negative abuse beliefs A form of self-stigma A stigmatized identity means a mark of failure or shame Stigmatized identity is related to greater psychological distress The key source and contributor of internalization of stigmatizing beliefs is the perpetrator Is a barrier to help-seeking from informal and formal support networks Nicole M. Overstreet and Diane M. Quinn 2013. The Intimate Partner Violence Stigmatization Model and Barriers to Help-Seeking. Basic Appl Soc Psych. 2013 January 1; 35(1): 109–122. 29/08/2017 Sirkka Perttu, Daphne project 2016-2018

Stigma due to abuse - Stigma internalization The nature of the abuse by the perpetrator may be related directly to whether and how survivors experience and internalize stigma, particularly through verbal and emotional abuse. The group that reported the highest levels of stigma also reported the highest rates of verbal abuse. Labeling is a powerful mechanism through which stigmatization operates. Murray, Crowe, & Brinkley, 2015. The Stigma Surrounding Intimate Partner Violence: A Cluster Analysis Study. Partner Abuse, Volume 6, Number 3, 2015. 29/08/2017 Sirkka Perttu, Daphne project 2016-2018

Stigma due to abuse - Anticipated stigma Anticipated stigma refers to the degree to which people fear or expect stigmatization from other people Anticipated stigma emphasizes concern about what will happen once others know about the partner abuse (e.g., rejection, disapproval, discriminat Anticipated stigma as a critical help-seeking barrier increases a sense of shame and secrecy around abuse Nicole M. Overstreet and Diane M. Quinn 2013. The Intimate Partner Violence Stigmatization Model and Barriers to Help-Seeking. Basic Appl Soc Psych. 2013 January 1; 35(1): 109–122. 29/08/2017 Sirkka Perttu, Daphne project 2016-2018

Stigma due to abuse - Cultural stigma Cultural stigma means beliefs at the societal level; de-legitimize people experiencing abuse (e.g., the belief that IPV victims provoke their own victimization) Cultural conceptualizations of abuse can be e.g. prevented recognition of abuse as a problem in the society Cultural stigma influenced anticipated stigma and stigma internalization. Cultural stigma affects every stage of the help-seeking process. Nicole M. Overstreet and Diane M. Quinn 2013. The Intimate Partner Violence Stigmatization Model and Barriers to Help-Seeking. Basic Appl Soc Psych. 2013 January 1; 35(1): 109–122. 29/08/2017 Sirkka Perttu, Daphne project 2016-2018

Abused older women and stigma Stigma and shame: Older women may be particularly likely to feel ashamed or embarrassed at experiencing abuse from their partners and they may also feel shame that they have put up with it for so long. Those starting a new relationship in later life may be embarrassed and ashamed to admit they have made a mistake Jackie Barron 2007. Older women and domestic violence, An Overview. Women’s Aid 29/08/2017 Sirkka Perttu, Daphne project 2016-2018