BENGALURU: Recently, a 99-year-old retired school principal was arrested in Chennai for allegedly sexually abusing a 10-year-old girl. Several such cases have been reported across the country where senior citizens have been alleged or accused of sexually assaulting minors. CE speaks to psychiatrists in Bengaluru to look at possible reasons for people for seniors to indulge in such activities.
Generally, physiological changes lead to decrease in hormonal levels and hence, reduce sexual desires as one grows old. But, this may not happen in all cases, says Dr Naveen Jayaram, consultant psychiatrist, Sakra World Hospital. “Loneliness for a long time and frustration could also be the reasons for them to indulge in such impulsive behaviours,” he adds. Most likely, they could also be repeated offenders. “They might have committed these crimes in their adulthood and may have gotten away with it,” says Dr
Bhupendra Chaudhry, consultant psychiatrist, Manipal Hospitals adding that because of their age, it is easier for younger people to trust them, they believe they are harmless.
The doctors say they have had several cases of hypersexuality, a possible symptom of early stages of dementia. Dr Bhupendra says, “In some cases, the brain degenerates faster when one grows old and they are more likely to engage in such activities. Their judgement ability comes down and hence, they do not realise their limits and what is the right or wrong behaviour. If they indulge in any substance use, the effects of brain degeneration and say, alcohol will be more profound, make them lose their ability to understand what they are doing.”
He adds that he has had more cases of senior citizens coming in due to symptoms of degenerative brain disorder. Dr Naveen says he’s also been receiving several cases of hypersexuality. “They touch the family members inappropriately, but the cases I have received have been a symptom of early dementia which occurs between 60 and 70 years of age,” he says.
For many adults or older people, it may be a one-time act that happens during stressful times as it gives them a false sense of control over things and fulfillment of power, says Akanksha Pandey, consultant clinical psychology, Fortis Hospitals. “It has also been commonly identified that the perpetrators themselves have a history of childhood sexual abuse and how helpless they felt in that situation which proves to be a strong motivating factor for them to carry out such acts with other children without fear of being reported. This in return fulfills their need for power and control, which in reality is far away from truth,” she says.