NCJ Number
40072
Date Published
1976
Length
211 pages
Annotation
THIS BOOK PRESENTS AN OVERVIEW OF THE CRISIS SITUATION INVOLVING CRIME AGAINST THE ELDERLY AND DISCUSSES THE IMPLICATIONS OF THIS SPECIAL TYPE OF VICTIMIZATION FOR THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM.
Abstract
FOUR MAJOR ELEMENTS OF CRIME AGAINST THE AGING ARE DISCUSSED - THE WIDESPREAD, INTENSE FEAR OF BEING CRIMINALLY VICTIMIZED; THE PHYSICIAL, EMOTIONAL AND FINANCIAL EFFECTS OF CRIME AGAINST THE ELDERLY; THE SPECIAL VULNERABILITY TO CRIMINAL VICTIMIZATION OF OUR ELDERLY CITIZENS; AND THE HIGH INCIDENCE OF CRIME OF CERTAIN TYPES, SUCH AS 'CON GAMES' AND CONSUMER FRAUD, ESPECIALLY IN CERTAIN GEOGRAPHICAL AREAS AND UNDER SPECIFIC CIRCUMSTANCES. IT IS SUGGESTED THAT THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM RECOGNIZE CRIME COMMITTED AGAINST ELDERLY VICTIMS AS A 'SPECIAL CATEGORY' AND ADDRESS IT WITH ALL THE INTENSITY AND SPECIALIZED METHODOLOGIES WHICH CRIME IN OTHER SPECIAL CATEGORIES RECEIVES. PROPOSALS FOR EFFECTIVELY DEALING WITH CRIME AGAINST THE ELDERLY INCLUDE THE USE OF SENIOR CITIZEN VOLUNTEERS IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM, COMPENSATION FOR SENIOR CITIZEN CRIME VICTIMS, AND MANDATORY MINIMUM SENTENCES FOR THOSE COMMITTING OFFENSES AGAINST THE ELDERLY. A FOUR-PAGE BIBLIOGRAPHY AND AN INDEX ARE PROVIDED. (SNI ABSTRACT)...ELW