NCJ Number
65205
Date Published
1979
Length
61 pages
Annotation
THIS MONOGRAPH CHARACTERIZES CRIMINAL VICTIMIZATION OF THE ELDERLY AND ARGUES FOR EFFECTIVE POLICY ANALYSIS TO BE IMPLEMENTED THROUGH PROGRAMS FOR IMMEDIATE CHANGE.
Abstract
THEIR CHOSEN OR FORCED RESIDENCE IN INNER CITIES CAUSES OLDER PEOPLE TO BECOME THE FREQUENT TARGETS OF CRIMINALS WHO ARE TYPICALLY YOUNG, UNEMPLOYED BLACK MALES COMMITTING BURGLARY, ROBBERY, PURSE SNATCHING, AND ASSAULT. THE OPPORTUNITY TO VICTIMIZE AND THE VULNERABILITY OF THE VICTIM ARE FACTORS AS IMPORTANT AS THE OFFENDER'S ECONOMIC MOTIVATION. PHYSICAL, ECONOMIC, AND BEHAVIORAL CONSEQUENCES FOR ELDERLY VICTIMS ARE ESPECIALLY GRAVE. OFFICIAL CRIME STATISTICS FAIL TO DOCUMENT THE EXTENT OF CRIME AGAINST THE ELDERLY BECAUSE CRIMES TO WHICH THEY ARE ESPECIALLY VULNERABLE, SUCH AS INSTITUTIONAL ABUSE OR NEGLECT, CONSUMER FRAUD, MEDICAL QUACKERY, EVEN PURSE SNATCHING FALL OUTSIDE THE REPORTED CATEGORIES OF SERIOUS CRIMES. VICTIMIZATION STUDIES, A NEW PERSPECTIVE ON CRIMINOLOGY, HAVE DEMONSTRATED THAT THERE ARE CERTAIN SOCIAL GROUPS, AMONG THEM THE ELDERLY, FOR WHOM THE PROBABILITY OF CRIMINAL VICTIMIZATION IS DISPROPORIONATE TO THEIR NUMBERS. AMELIORATIVE PROGRAMS ARE PRESCRIBED FOR ADMINISTRATORS, THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM, THE COMMUNITY, AND ORGANIZATIONS FOR THE AGING. PERSUASIVE ADVOCACY IS NEEDED TO FOCUS ADMINISTRATIVE FUNDS TOWARD DEVELOPING A FULL SERVICE POLICING PROGRAM AND A SYSTEMS APPROACH TO INTEGRATING VICTIMS INTO THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE NETWORK WITH SPECIAL CONSIDERATION FOR THE ELDERLY. SENIOR CITIZENS MUST THEMSELVES BECOME INVOLVED IN EDUCATION, CRIME PREVENTION, AND VICTIM ASSISTANCE VOLUNTEERISM. ABOVE ALL, CRIMINAL VICTIMIZATION SHOULD BE SEEN IN ITS SOCIAL CONTEXT, WHERE VICTIMIZATION OF THE ELDERLY IS PRESENT IN MANY FORMS DUE TO THE LACK OF RESPECT AND STATUS OF THE AGED IN U.S. SOCIETY. A BIBLIOGRAPHY AND A LIST OF THE MEMBERS OF THE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON AGEING ARE INCLUDED. (MRK)