De Osynliga Kvinnorna : Professionellas resonemang om våld i äldre kvinnors nära relationer

Sammanfattning: The awareness of older women being subjected to violence in intimate relationships is increasing. It is a growing national problem, coupled with a higher general life span. Older women can be subjected to violence by a variety of people they depend upon, and are seen as an especially vulnerable group, both because of their age and because of their gender. Knowledge in this area is limited, due to it being a relatively recent area of study.  The aim of this study is to explore how the professionals within their different professions, talk about and understand abuse in women over 65 years of age. In addition to this, the study seeks to analyse how the professionals´ help and support older women subjected to violence. Eight semi structured, qualitative interviews were conducted with professionals within different fields of expertise, who could potentially meet women over 65, that had been subjected to violence in an intimate relationship.  The approach of the study was abductive, and the theories used to analyse the results were Ageism, Intersectionality and Accounts. The analysed data resulted in three main themes: The Professional’s knowledge and prerequisites needed, View of older women in abuse, and The scope of violence.  The result was analysed into two main themes: Against the Wind and Contradictions.  The main result shows how older, abused women are the ones who suffer most with the disparity between knowledge and action. These older, abused women, therefore, become invisible in society. This is highlighted by looking at the professionals´ interpretation of societies view of older women, and how the group themselves view their situation; together with the professionals’ difficulties reaching out to the group and working within their own resources.