Unit 1 - Florida Council Against Sexual Violence

ELDER SEXUAL ABUSE
DEFINITIONS
Show Slide, Ramsey/Klawsnik definition
Slide:
Ramsey/Klawsnik
definition.
Speaking Points:
• There are several definitions of elder sexual abuse.
Let’s look at one that was developed by researcher
Ramsey-Klawsnik who studied the prevalence and
patterns of sexual abuse of the elderly.
• According to Ramsey-Klawsnik, sexual abuse of older
adults is: Sexual activity that occurs when a person
over age 60 years is forced, tricked, coerced, or
manipulated into unwanted sexual contact.
• This includes situations in which an older adult is
not capable of giving consent because of the
mental/cognitive impairments of aging.
• This isn’t the legal definition, of course, but gives you
a broad idea.
• In Florida law, there are a few Florida Statutes that
serve as the basis for defining sexual abuse of older
people. The first is Chapter 794, F.S. which defines
sexual battery, and consent. Another is Chapter
825, F.S. which defines lewd and lascivious offenses
against an elderly or disabled person. The last is
Chapter 415, F.S. which defines abuse of certain
elders who are considered vulnerable adults. This
Florida statute is the Adult Protective Services Act.
It establishes the authority of the Adult Protective
Services program of the Florida Department of
Children and Families and describes your
requirements for collaborating with them on cases
involving abuse of older individuals.
Show Slide, Chapter 794.011, F.S. – definition of sexual
battery.
Slide:
Sexual battery
definition
Speaking Points:
• In Florida law, sexual battery is defined as "oral, anal,
or vaginal penetration by, or union with, the sexual
organ of another or the anal or vaginal penetration
FCASV Elder Sexual Abuse Trainer’s Guide 6
Unit 1