UK Covid Inquiry: Hourglass Feedback
International Women's Day 2025: Older Women and Femicide
Today is International Women’s Day 2025, an important time to celebrate the achievements of women worldwide and recognise progress, but also a time to highlight the very real issues that women continue to face in the modern world.
For over two years now on International Women’s Day we’ve shone a light on femicide in later life and paid tribute to those who have sadly and tragically lost their lives.
Throughout 2024, 19 women over the age of 60 were killed in circumstances where men were the primary suspect. This is nearly one quarter of the overall total victims, and an increase from 2023. Many of these cases involve a younger male suspected perpetrator, with 47% of cases being perpetrated by a husband or partner. Some cases were perpetrated by sons, brothers and sons-in-law. Two of these cases took place in Scotland, two in Northern Ireland and one in Wales, highlighting that femicide in later life is an issue right across the UK.
Among these cases is the death of 73 year old Carol Matthews, who was killed by her husband in Stoke-On-Trent in March 2024 and 68 year old Michelle Romano, killed by her adult son in February.
At least two women were killed by the partner or former partner of their adult daughter, such as Wendy Francis who died in March 2024 and the shocking case involving the deaths of Carol, Louise and Hannah Hunt in July.
A report issued by the Femicide Census ahead of International Women’s Day looks into the deaths of 2,000 women killed by men. Findings from the report showed that 434 women over the age of 60 have been killed by men since 2009, meaning almost one in five victims were older women.
Despite data showing that older women represent a significant portion of the total number of femicide victims, their cases receive less media representation and are often overlooked in domestic abuse policy discussions. This oversight stems from stereotypical narratives that frame domestic abuse victims primarily as younger women.
This leaves little room to hear and understand the experiences of older women, many of whom have endured years of abuse, not only from partners but also from adult children and other family members. Karen Ingala-Smith, co-founder of the Femicide Census is quoted in a recent article from The Guardian as saying
“The deaths of older women don’t get enough attention… I think that the vulnerability of older women, either living on their own or in care homes, isn’t properly recognised.”
Domestic abuse and femicide are interconnected, with research consistently showing that many cases of femicide follow a history of intimate partner violence, with data from the Femicide Census which reports that on average, 62% of women killed will have been killed by a current or former partner.
In 2024, data from our helpline reveals that 68% of casework pertains to a female older victim-survivor, showing a year-on-year increase from 2023 which saw 67% of casework pertaining to a female older victim-survivor. This data runs alongside trends seen from the Office for National Statistics which found 72.5% of domestic abuse cases in England and Wales involved a female victim-survivor.
For older women, the risk of domestic abuse going unnoticed and escalating is particularly pronounced due to a range of factors. Many have endured years of abuse, normalised through generational attitudes that discourage leaving an abusive relationship or through a lack of awareness of the support options out there. Others may experience increased health issues in later life or rely on their perpetrator for care and support needs, which may lead to them feeling unable to leave or end an abusive relationship. .
Isolation is another important factor, with older women often having fewer social connections, making it harder for them to seek help. Perpetrators, who are often partners, adult children or caregivers, can exploit this isolation through coercive control, preventing the victim from seeking help.
In the Guardian article, Professor Sarah Lonbay from the University of Sunderland found from her research with the National Institute for Health and Care that for many, the abuse of older victims is often seen as a ‘family matter’.
She goes on to say that older victims may
'be less likely to contact services or disclose their experiences because they feel like they might not be believed… or they might feel that actually they’re taking services away from younger women who need it more’.
Ending femicide in later life requires urgent recognition, both in media representation and policy discussions. The data is clear—older women make up a significant portion of victims, yet their experiences remain overshadowed by narratives that focus primarily on younger women.
This International Women’s Day should serve as a call to action, pushing for greater awareness and stronger protections for older women at risk of domestic abuse and femicide. By amplifying their voices, creating discussion and pushing for change we can work towards a safer ageing society where no woman, regardless of age, is left invisible.
If you’re over the age of 60 and experiencing abuse, or you’re concerned about an older person in your life who is being affected, we are here to help. Our 24/7 helpline is always available to call on 0808 808 8141 or you can find our instant messaging service and other services at https://wearehourglass.org/hourglass-services.
If you or anyone you know is suffering from abuse contact our 247 helpline
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