A Word About Language

Ageism:

The World Health Organization defines ageism as “the stereotypes (how we think), prejudice (how we feel) and discrimination (how we act) towards others or oneself based on age.” Ageism plays a significant role in devaluing and hiding the lives and stories of older people who are victim-survivors of GBV.

Elder Abuse:

Also referenced as abuse of older people or mistreatment, elder abuse is typically considered a category that is separate from GBV, arising from vulnerabilities associated with aging rather than gendered dynamics. The World Health Organization defines it as: "a single or repeated act, or lack of appropriate action, occurring within any relationship where there is an expectation of trust, which causes harm or distress to an older person. This type of violence constitutes a violation of human rights and includes physical, sexual, psychological and emotional abuse; financial and material abuse; abandonment; neglect; and serious loss of dignity and respect."

We recognize that “elder” is different from the term “Elder” as it is used in Indigenous and collectivist communities, referring to respected leaders and knowledge keepers.

Gender-Based Violence:

GBV is violence based on gender norms and unequal power dynamics, perpetrated against someone based on their sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or perceived gender. GBV can take many forms, including physical, sexual, psychological, emotional, and financial abuse as well as technology-facilitated violence. It takes place in homes, in public spaces, at school, in workplaces and online. Intimate partner / domestic and certain forms of family violence along with sexual violence are included under GBV.

Intersectionality:

Other forms of discrimination add to the experience of invisibility and marginalization experienced by older women. Intersectionality describes the overlapping and interdependent systems of discrimination or disadvantage. In addition to ageism, older women experience discrimination based on race, gender, sexual orientation, ability, status, language, geographical location, religion. The negative impacts can be seen in statistics for mental, health and addictions, housing and poverty rates. Multiple forms of discrimination increase exposure to GBV. Indigenous women and girls; Black and racialized women; immigrant and refugee women; Two-Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and intersex people; women with disabilities, and women living in northern, rural, and remote communities experience higher rates of GBV.

See: Progress Report 2021-2022 - Canada.ca

Women:

Although women make up over half the population, they remain a subordinated class in a patriarchal society. Women 55+ are the focus for this project, not to exclude others, but to redress the historic invisibility of older women in GBV services and prevention efforts. We also recognize that gender-diverse older adults have been similarly erased in data, services, and public discourse. Their experiences of harm, resilience, and identity are distinct, and they too deserve safety, recognition, and support.

Victim-Survivor:

References individuals who have experienced GBV and is used to capture the complexity of their experiences and to acknowledge both their suffering and resilience.

Resources:

Links to other resources are provided throughout the guide. A full resources list is included in the last section.