Prevention of violence in older couples

Statistics show that elderly people rarely seek help when victims of domestic violence from support services in Switzerland (such as LAVI centres, emergency shelters, or the police). It is important to highlight too that only few specialised support services are tailored to the specific needs of elderly people, that often lack of internet access, have impaired mobility, and depend from their partner (sometimes the author of such violence). Furthermore, prevention campaigns on domestic violence do not sufficiently target people aged 64 and over, even though they represent nearly 20% of the Swiss population. This double under-representation contributes to making this problem even more invisible.

Based on these findings, senior-lab and the Institut et Haute École de la Santé La Source conducted a national research project to improve seniors’ access to help in cases of domestic violence. Through a participative approach that involved senior citizens victims of violence and professionals, this study aims to improve the detection, referral, and interprofessional intervention in case of violence in elderly couples.

National awareness campaign on domestic violence among older adults – 2024

Domestic violence among seniors often remains invisible. The awareness campaign ‘Domestic violence among seniors’ is based on data from interviews with former victims (that were seniors at the time of the incidents) and professionals in the three main linguistic regions of Switzerland, as part of a project led by the Institut et Haute Ecole de la Santé La Source (HES-SO), the senior-lab and the National Centre of Expertise on Ageing without Violence. This campaign is committed to improving access for older people to support resources in cases of domestic violence in Switzerland.

The communication supports developed are available to download for free in three languages:

• A5 flyer (FR, DE, IT) for older people, their families, friends, and the general public
• A3 poster (FR, DE,IT) for waiting rooms and walk-ins frequented by older people
• Detection and referral guide for professionals (FR, FR version vaudoise, DE, IT)
• Video 1: long-term domestic violence (FR, DE, IT)
• Video 2: late-life relationships (FR, DE, IT)
• Video 3: elderly male couples (FR, DE, IT) 

Phone
+ 41 21 556 40 11

Phone
+ 41 21 556 40 11