Shocking toll of domestic violence among older people in Huddersfield
Oct 11 2010 by Barry Gibson, Huddersfield Daily Examiner
Shocking toll of domestic violence among older people in Huddersfield
NEW figures show one in four victims of domestic violence in Huddersfield are aged over 50.
It can now be revealed that Kirklees Council’s domestic violence team has dealt with women in their 70s and 80s who have suffered their abusive husbands for decades before summoning up the courage to get help.
Team manager Thelma Singleton said: “We are talking about a generation of women who have kept quiet about this for years.
“They have grown up thinking that anything which happened in the home was private and they have not been aware they can get help for domestic violence.
“They may feel ashamed of what was going on.”
Around 2,000 people contact the domestic violence team each year – and the shock figures show that 500 of them are aged over 50.
The majority of older callers are still of working age, but some are in their 70s or even 80s.
Ms Singleton said: “The oldest person we’ve dealt with was an 84-year-old woman from Dewsbury who was abused by her partner.
“She was expected to do all the cooking and cleaning and he would assault her if things were not done to his liking.
“He did this for years, and she never complained because she didn’t think anyone would listen to her.
“After she contacted us last year we helped her find new accommodation and she’s now living independently.
