ABSTRACT
This is the first of three chapters on the research findings, presenting data on the extent and characteristics of police recorded rape and sexual assault by penetration offences involving a victim aged 60 and over in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The data presented represent offences recorded between 2009 and 2013. The findings reveal the number of recorded offences involving an older victim constitutes a small, but not insignificant, proportion of the total. Analysis of the data reveals that sexual violence against older people shares some similarities, but also some differences, with sexual violence against other (younger) people. The gender of victim survivors and perpetrators and the location of offences are broadly similar, but the relationship between victim survivors and perpetrators and the differences in their ages do not echo the patterns observed in younger cohorts. The implications of these findings are considered.
