Helping elderly women survive rape using a crisis framework

1. As social, legal, and medical norms have changed, there has been an increase in older women reporting rape, but it is estimated that many still do not report. 2. Nurses should be prepared to offer help to women who report a rape and identify those who have not reported but are in need of assistance. 3. Nurses also must work with others to change attitudes toward the elderly and elderly rape victims in particular, advocate for services for these women, and provide primary prevention education at the community level.