Public views of sexual assault, and its prevention, in residential aged care facilities

Madeline Lee; Emily Moir; Nadine McKillop

doi:10.1177/26338076231207406

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Public views of sexual assault, and its prevention, in residential aged care facilities

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

Public views of sexual assault, and its prevention, in residential aged care facilities

Madeline Lee, Emily Moir and Nadine McKillop

Journal of Criminology , Vol.57(1), pp.23-44

2024

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/26338076231207406

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Abstract

Causes and prevention of crime

Crime prevention

Sexual assault

aged care

social media

public views

guardianship

The prevalence of sexual assaults against older people in Residential Aged Care Facilities (RACFs) is estimated to be more than double the incidents in the community, yet there is a paucity of empirical research focused on this context. Considering significant revelations and community concerns stemming from Australia's recent Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety, the current study sought to assess public knowledge of sexual assaults in RACFs, specifically, the causes, delegations of responsibility, and possible solutions to limit reoccurrences. Thematic analysis was conducted on 2,398 social media comments made in response to posts concerning sexual assault in RACFs ( n = 27 sources). Results suggest systemic factors frequently contributed to incidents (e.g., staffing insufficiencies, apathetic management, and meagre regulatory requirements), while improved guardianship, sanctions, and regulation were expected to mitigate risk. Notably, the government was frequently blamed for its role in establishing and maintaining conditions that manifest in abuse within RACFs, with responsibility also delegated to family members. Importantly, public opinion strongly coincided with prior empirical prevention recommendations, endorsing the implementation of identified measures to limit sexual victimisation risk in RACFs.

Details

Title: Public views of sexual assault, and its prevention, in residential aged care facilities
Authors: Madeline Lee (Corresponding Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Sexual Violence Research and Prevention Unit
Emily Moir (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Sexual Violence Research and Prevention Unit
Nadine McKillop (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Sexual Violence Research and Prevention Unit
Publication details: Journal of Criminology , Vol.57(1), pp.23-44
Publisher: Sage Publications Ltd.
Date published: 2024
DOI: 10.1177/26338076231207406
ISSN: 2633-8084; 2633-8076
Data Availability: The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.
Organisation Unit: Healthy Ageing Research Cluster; School of Law and Society; Sexual Violence Research and Prevention Unit
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99990598702621
Output Type: Journal article

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