Family violence against seniors surging – SFU expert available

Family violence against seniors in Canada has reached a new record high, according to a Statistics Canada report released this week.

In its report, Statistics Canada says 72 per cent of senior victims of family violence were victims of physical assault, while 17 per cent were victims of threats. A slightly higher proportion of senior men victims (74 per cent) experienced physical assault compared to 71 per cent of senior women victims. More senior women were victims of sexual offences, criminal harassment, indecent or harassing communications, or other offences.

“Family violence against seniors—especially older men—has surged by over 60 per cent, often involving adult children as perpetrators, suggesting possible intergenerational cycles of violence. Older adults are increasingly affected by both family and intimate partner violence, making them the fastest-growing victim group in recent years,” says Alexandra Lysova, professor at the School of Criminology.  

“Many experience overlapping abuse by adult children and intimate partners, highlighting the urgent need for targeted, age-appropriate prevention and support strategies.”

Lysova also notes that although women and girls still account for most reported victims, the rate of increase has been higher for males across nearly all categories. Between 2018 and 2024, family violence rose by 21 per cent among men and boys compared to 16 per cent among women and girls, and intimate partner violence by 22 per cent versus 13 per cent, respectively.

According to the report, rates of family and intimate partner violence remain highest in Canada’s North and rural regions. Lysova says this may indicate higher levels of victimization among Indigenous men and women, which could be linked to factors such as family stress, intergenerational patterns of violence, parenting challenges, substance abuse, and limited social support networks.

Lysova is available to speak about the latest Statistics Canada report on family violence and intimate partner violence rates in Canada.  

SFU expert available

ALEXANDRA LYSOVA, professor, School of Criminology 
alysova@sfu.ca  
Expertise: family violence; intimate partner violence; female victims and offenders; male victims of partner violence; spousal homicide; international studies of violence

Contact

ROBYN STUBBS, SFU Communications & Marketing  
604.376.0971 | robyn_stubbs@sfu.ca

Simon Fraser University 
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