PUBLIC INTEREST - REPORT NO 6 - BEATING UP ON THE ELDERLY - POLICE, SOCIAL WORK, CRIME

• NCJ Number: 35851
• Journal: AGING AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT Volume: 3 Issue: 4 Dated: (1972) Pages: 319-322
• Author(s): P M BROSTOFF; R B BROWN; R N BUTLER
• Date Published: 1972
• Length: 4 pages
• Corporate Author: Baywood Publishing Co, Inc.
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: REPRINT

Annotation

PROJECT ASSIST, THE 1970 DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA DEMONSTRATION STUDY WHICH EXAMINED VICTIMIZATION OF THE ELDERLY, IS DESCRIBED.

Abstract

THE 8-MONTH PROJECT STUDIED THE EXTENT OF VICTIMIZATION OF THE ELDERLY IN THE DISTRICT, THE RESULTING KINDS OF SOCIAL AND HEALTH PROBLEMS, AND THE CIRCUMSTANCES UNDER WHICH OLDER PEOPLE COME TO THE ATTENTION OF THE POLICE WHETHER OR NOT A CRIME HAS BEEN COMMITTED. PROJECT ALSO ATTEMPTED TO FACILITATE POLICE LIAISON AND REFERRAL REFERRAL TO SOCIAL SERVICES THROUGH COORDINATION WITH SOCIAL WORKERS AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF POLICE TRAINING PROGRAMS IN SPECIAL PROBLEMS OF THE ELDERLY. DURING THE PROJECT, 220 PERSONS WITH A MEAN AGE OF 70 RECEIVED DIRECT HELP SUCH AS EMERGENCY FINANCIAL AND MEDICAL ASSISTANCE. THE PROJECT REPORT INCLUDES EXTENSIVE STATISTICAL ANALYSIS ON A CITYWIDE BASIS. MAJOR FINDINGS INDICATE THAT WOMEN ARE MORE VICTIMIZED THAN MEN, BLACKS MORE THAN WHITES, AND THE VERY POOR, WIDOWED, AND SINGLE ELDERLY ARE PARTICULARLY VULNERABLE. ROBBERY IS THE CHIEF CRIME PLAGUING THE ELDERLY. OTHER CRIMES AND CONSUMER FRAUDS THAT VICTIMIZE SENIOR CITIZENS ARE DISCUSSED, AND WAYS TO REDUCE CRIME AND ASSIST VICTIMS ARE LISTED. THESE INCLUDE 24-HOUR SOCIAL SERVICES, VICTIM COMPENSATION, PROVISION OF ESCORT SERVICES, AND SELF-DEFENSE EDUCATION PROGRAMS. (DAG)