NCJ Number
58464
Date Published
1977
Length
27 pages
Annotation
THE GROWING NUMBERS OF ELDERLY (AND THE POTENTIAL POLITICAL CLOUT OF SUCH A GROUP) HAS FORCED SOCIETY TO ADDRESS THE VULNERABILITY OF THE ELDERLY TO CRIME. THIS 1977 PAPER STUDIES APPROACHES TO THE PROBLEM.
Abstract
THE INCREASING PROBLEM OF ELDERLY VICTIMIZATION DEMANDS IMMEDIATE ATTENTION, ESPECIALLY IN VIEW OF THE FACT THAT PRESENT DATA SUPPLY NO UNIFORM BODY OF KNOWLEDGE, AND PRESENT PROGRAMS PROVIDE NO WIDELY ACCEPTED GOALS. IN PART, THIS PROBLEM ARISES FROM THE WAY IN WHICH OUR SOCIETY HAS MADE THE ELDERLY FEEL USELESS, ISOLATED, AND VULNERABLE. ALSO, THERE ARE NOT ENOUGH DATA ON THE AGE OF CRIME VICTIMS TO FULLY IDENTIFY THE TYPE OF VULNERABILITY AND CRIMES THE ELDERLY CONFRONT. DATA SUGGEST THAT THE ELDERLY ARE ACTUALLY LESS VICTIMIZED THAN ANY OTHER AGE GROUP, YET THEY LOSE THE FREEDOM TO MOVE ABOUT FREELY. THEY REMAIN ESPECIALLY VULNERABLE TO SUCH CRIMES AS PERSONAL LARCENY, FRAUD, AND MEDICAL QUACKERY. IN ADDITION, THE ELDERLY ARE VULNERABLE TO THE ECONOMIC, PHYSICAL, AND EMOTIONAL STRESSES OF BEING VICTIMIZED. EFFORTS TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM MUST FIND OUT THE NEEDS OF THE ELDERLY; GET THE ELDERLY TO COOPERATE MORE FULLY WITH THE POLICE; AND DEVELOP WORKABLE PROGRAMS WHICH WILL INVOLVE THE ELDERLY,THE COMMUNITY, AND THE POLICE IN ATTACKING THE PROBLEM OF CRIME. THESE OBJECTIVES SHOULD AID IN REINTEGRATING THE AGED INTO SOCIETY; LESSENING THE NEGATIVE EFFECTS OF VICTIMIZATION, REDUCING THE VULNERABILITY OF THE ELDERLY, AND PROVIDING A WIDE RANGE OF SERVICES TO THE ELDERLY. REFERENCE AND A LIST OF ADDITIONAL SOURCES OF INFORMATION ARE INCLUDED. (KCP).