The Forgotten Voices – The Overlooked Reality of Domestic Violence in Later Life
When we talk about domestic violence, our minds often picture younger women, the narratives that dominate the media, stories we’ve heard time and again. But there’s a group of women whose stories remain unheard, unseen, and too often forgotten – older women.
At The FEMCAST, we’ve made it our mission to give a voice to the voiceless, to bring stories to the forefront that challenge our perceptions and stir necessary conversations. In this recent episode, we had the privilege of speaking with Carrie Bower, Domestic Abuse Policy Lead, who opened our eyes to the harsh reality that women don’t “age out” of domestic violence – they age into it.
Older women, particularly those in long-term relationships or caregiving situations, may suffer decades of abuse before anyone notices, if anyone ever does. The abuse can take many forms: physical, emotional, financial, or neglect. Yet the systems in place – the ones meant to protect and provide support – often overlook this demographic entirely. This leaves many older women isolated, struggling in silence, invisible to a world that often assumes domestic violence is an issue only for younger generations.
As Carrie so poignantly shared, we rarely see the faces of older women when domestic violence is discussed. These women have lived rich, full lives, but in their most vulnerable moments, they’re forgotten. The invisibility of older women in this conversation is a reflection of how society often fails to acknowledge the complexity of ageing.
Through her advocacy work, including the No Age Limit report and her Let’s Get Visible podcast, Carrie is making sure that older women are seen and heard. At The FEMCAST, we’re committed to amplifying these voices, bringing attention to the stories that matter, and addressing this overlooked issue head-on.
Domestic violence doesn’t stop at a certain age, and neither should our conversations about it. Older women deserve the same attention, support, and resources as anyone else experiencing abuse. If we don’t start talking about this now, we’ll continue to let these women down, leaving them in the shadows.
Carrie’s deep expertise, from her social work roots to her role as an accredited Victim Focus Trainer, makes this interview a must-listen for anyone passionate about addressing domestic abuse across all ages. Tune in to learn how she’s making invisible women visible!
Join us in this movement. Listen to the stories. Share them. Let’s make sure that older women, too, are visible in the fight against domestic violence.
Subscribe to The FEMCAST and help us bring these critical stories to light. Each listener, each voice, and each story makes a difference. Together, we can break the silence.
If you have experienced any form of abuse please visit our website HERE for supports and help.
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