This investigation aims to determine the factors associated with physical domestic violence in elderly victims. A study was performed based on a cross section of 511 legal medical reports from people aged 60 years and older who were subjected to medical examinations at the Institute of Forensic Medicine in Recife (Brazil) between 2004 and 2007. A chi-square test with a 95% confidence interval was used to establish association between the variables. The factors associated with the victim were victims' body parts (trunk/members), victims' gender (females), marital status (without partner), and occupation (retired, housewife). The factors associated with the aggressor were the aggressors' gender (females), the number of aggressors (one), and the relationship to the victim (relatives). These factors associated with violence, which are linked socially, economically and culturally clearly demonstrate the complexity of the phenomenon and how difficult it is to confront it and develop an adequate solution.
Domestic Violence; Elder Abuse; Violence; Aged
