Nonlethal Intimate Partner Violence Against Women: A Comparison of Three Age Cohorts

This article expands the small but growing literature on intimate partner violence (IPV) against mature females using the National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS) from 1993 to 2001. Estimates depict the extent and nature of IPV against older women. Findings demonstrate relatively lower rates of IPV against mature females compared to younger victims. Findings describe the ways IPV is similar to and different from that experienced by young ervictims. A discussion of possible reasons for the relatively lower rates— including the uniqueness of the population, limitations of the NCVS, and measurement difficulties—is provided. Additional research using methodologies other than large-scale surveys is warranted to describe IPV of mature women.