NCJ Number
75104
Date Published
1979
Length
7 pages
Annotation
Using 1970 rape and census data, this paper provides on the rape of elderly women in Los Angeles.
Abstract
In Los Angeles in 1970, there were 213 recorded rapes of women over the age of 65. This compares to 591 rapes with victims between the ages of 12 and 19, 499 with victims between the ages of 20-34, 197 between the ages of 35-49, and 194 between the ages of 50-64. In the over age 65 group, one woman was raped for every 2,500 women in the Los Angeles population. The 1970 victims in this age group were almost all black. This could mean (1) only black elderly women are being raped in significant numbers, (2) only black elderly women are reporting rape, (3) rape of the elderly is limited to certain geo/socioeconomic areas, (4) white elderly women are better protected, or (5) sufficient data do not exist for the 'other' designation. Other data indicate that for the older age group of rape victims, theft is more likely to accompany the rape than for younger age groups. Also, older raped victims are more likely to be raped by a stranger than are younger victims. For crimes of violence in general, the older victim has a higher probability of dying, is hospitalized two and one-half times longer than younger victims, and requires more expensive medical care during recovery. Tabular data are provided.