Vile rapists who prey upon Australia's elderly women are primarily driven by their victims' frailty and their own deep-seated urges to exert power and control, according to leading criminal experts. This disturbing pattern has emerged amid a spate of horrific attacks across the nation, with more than a dozen men charged in recent years for allegedly breaking into the homes of elderly women and subjecting them to sexual assault.
Recent Convictions Highlight a Disturbing Trend
While many cases remain before the courts, details of some brutal acts have surfaced following convictions. Earlier this week, Hayden Carl Skinner, aged 31, was found guilty of raping a 76-year-old woman during a burglary at an aged care facility in Coffs Harbour on the New South Wales mid-north coast. The attack occurred in the early hours of January 1, 2024.
Skinner denied any sexual contact, testifying he had entered her unlit room solely to search for valuables to settle a drug debt. He claimed the woman attacked him after waking. However, the court heard the victim was later found naked from the waist down and screaming in a hallway. Forensic evidence proved damning: Skinner's DNA was identified on her clothing, genitals, and under her fingernails.
NSW District Court Judge Michael McHugh dismissed Skinner's account, finding him guilty of one count of aggravated sexual intercourse without consent. Sentencing is scheduled for next month.
High-Risk Offenders Released Under Strict Supervision
In a separate case, Cristo Brown, aged 28, was released from jail in October after serving eight years for the 2015 rape of a 76-year-old woman in Launceston, Tasmania. Brown, also convicted of another sexual assault in 2016, has been classified as a high-risk offender. He is now subject to stringent parole conditions designed to protect the community.
The Psychology of Power and Control
Criminal psychologist Tim Watson-Munro identifies the "common ingredient" among rapists, regardless of victim age, as a profound need for power and control, often stemming from feelings of personal inadequacy.
"They have a need for power—it is all about having control of the situation," Watson-Munro explained. "Some can only be aroused if they are subjugating women. That is the common thread that runs through their psychology—regardless of age. It is the need to subjugate, control, and humiliate."
He noted additional factors may include deep-seated misogyny and unresolved anger towards maternal figures. Many offenders harbour a dislike for women, rooted in feelings of inferiority. Substance abuse also plays a significant role; intoxication from drugs or alcohol can heighten libido or lead individuals to act out deviant fantasies.
"They have a reduced ability to consider consequences. It is no excuse—it is just what happens," Watson-Munro stated. "In the category of broader sexual offenders, ice [methamphetamine] looms large in terms of those dynamics."
Opportunistic and Premeditated Attacks
Offenders may be opportunistic, as when a burglary escalates into sexual violence, or premeditated, involving stalking and careful selection of victims. Some men also exhibit gerontophilia—a sexual attraction to older people—which can drive their criminal behaviour.
"In some ways, because of the power dynamic, wanting to sexually assault an older woman is a form of fetish [in itself]," Watson-Munro added. "Rapists enjoy humiliating women. And with older women, that [sense of humiliation] is enhanced because of their vulnerabilities, which can be a turn-on for them."
Devastating and Lasting Impact on Victims
Sexual abuse against the elderly is particularly heinous due to the severe and enduring psychological trauma inflicted. "The elderly are frail. They can't fight back, they are psychologically vulnerable, and they are aware of their physical limitations [in terms of defending themselves]," Watson-Munro said. "They often live alone, and it is already hard enough for them to cope."
He emphasised that victims never fully recover, typically developing Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). "Their sense of security in the world is taken away from them. That makes these people [and their crimes] all the more disgusting."
Perpetrators Exploit Vulnerability
Respected former homicide detective Charlie Bezzina, with over 38 years in the Victorian Police Force, stated that perpetrators often target elderly victims believing they can evade justice. "Crooks are lazy; they want an easy target to intimidate and assault without much resistance," Bezzina said.
He highlighted that elderly women living alone are especially vulnerable to being physically overpowered. Furthermore, their recall of events may be less precise than younger individuals, and attackers exploit this. "These parasites who inflict these crimes think they can get away with it," Bezzina remarked.
Barriers to Reporting and Seeking Justice
Elderly victims are frequently reluctant to report attacks due to fear, vulnerability, and concerns about reprisals. "Like any crime, it is always difficult to convince a victim to report it," Bezzina noted. "But for the elderly especially, they tend to say, 'It has happened, but I want to move on and don't want to make a fuss.'"
Attackers often instil terror, threatening to return if the victim speaks out. The violation occurring in their own homes exacerbates their fear, particularly if they lack family support or the means to relocate.
Bezzina also criticised the criminal justice system, noting that victims feel scarred for life while offenders may receive relatively short sentences. "You might tell the victim they are going to get a lengthy sentence, but they don't. They might only get six-to-eight years. Then the victim fears what will happen when the offender is released. It is just a sad indictment on our criminal justice system."
Case Studies of Convicted Offenders
Cristo Brown
Then aged 18, Brown raped a 76-year-old woman in July 2015 at her West Launceston home. He broke in, demanded $250, then assaulted her. His DNA was found on her nightie. After travelling to Victoria, he was arrested a week later. Found guilty in a Supreme Court trial in September 2018, he was sentenced to eight years in prison. While on bail in July 2016, he sexually assaulted another person in Queensland, serving 277 days before extradition to Tasmania. Released two months ago under strict supervision, he is deemed a high-risk offender. Chief Justice Chris Shanahan KC noted Brown's tendency to intimidate female staff in prison and stated he presents an "above average risk" of future sexual offending. A high-risk offender order will remain for five years.
West Australian Teenager
In 2013, a 15-year-old boy was sentenced to seven years in detention for a sex attack on an 88-year-old woman in WA's Great Southern region. He broke into her home in April 2013, repeatedly kicking and punching her before partially stripping her. A personal alarm alerted her family, who found the boy standing over her. He pleaded guilty to aggravated assault and attempted aggravated sexual penetration.
South Australian Man
In 2018, a then 34-year-old man was jailed for seven years for raping an 87-year-old woman. In October 2017, while drunk, he broke into her house intending to steal items for his drug habit. When she awoke, he was naked at the foot of her bed. He attempted to rape her but fled when unsuccessful. He was linked to the crime via a grey t-shirt left behind and DNA on her underwear. He received a non-parole period of four and a half years.
Advice for Personal Safety
While predators exist in society, Bezzina advises against living in fear. "Don't live in fear when you are in the public arena," he urged. "Unfortunately, they [offenders] populate our community." He recommends vigilance and basic security measures: "Be mindful of your surroundings. Put in basic security measures. Even making sure you have a little dog or putting in security lights can deter offenders."
