1. Intimate Partner Violence and Rural Older Women Center for Gerontology at Virginia Tech Women’s Resource Center of the New River Valley Funded by grant # R03HD059478 from the Eunice Kennedy Shriver NICHD and the NIH Office of the Director (OD)

2. Rural Challenges

3. Is IPV a Rural Problem? IPV is no more prevalent or problematic in rural areas than urban areas. Issues are similar to urban counterparts, but require different community response strategies. The structure and culture of rural areas may conceal and facilitate IPV.

4. Rural Challenges Abusers and victims lack anonymity Geographic isolation Service delivery

5. Cultural Beliefs and Influences Culture of self-sufficiency Culture of acceptance Religious Influence

6. Needs of Rural Older Women: Income and Work

7. Needs of Rural Older Women: Legal Support Legal advocacy Access to information about rights, laws, and processes presented in everyday language

8. Needs of Rural Older Women: Emergency Shelter Located in the community, close to familiar places ADA accessible Private and quiet

9. Needs of Rural Older Women: Emergency Care for Animals Abusers often control their victims by threatening to harm or kill the victim’s animals. Need emergency livestock and domesticated animal placement Need shelters that can accept pets or domesticated animals

10. Needs of Rural Older Women: Transportation Transportation to leave and seek help Transportation that is discreet and offers flexibility in service times

11. Needs of Rural Older Women: Flexible Service Delivery Privacy Ideal Locations