NCJ Number
83155
Date Published
1978
Length
15 pages
Annotation
A review of literature spanning the period 1964-1975 indicates that the elderly may be less victimized than other age groups because their isolation and fear of crime shield them from would-be criminals.
Abstract
The term 'elderly victim syndrome' is proposed for the group of victimizations and predispositions to victimization to which the elderly seem vulnerable. Much of the lack of awareness regarding victimization of the elderly is due to a paucity of data, but a number of recent victim studies have begun to shed light on this problem. For the most part, these studies show that the elderly are generally undervictimized, especially with regard to crimes of violence. However, they are overvictimized with respect to burglary and purse snatching. In spite of this, the fear of the elderly is directed especially toward crimes of personal violence -- murder, aggravated assault, and rape. To explain the patterns of victimization of the elderly, a concept of differential vulnerability has been espoused. Passive vulnerability refers to a condition whereby a victim's status is recognized as exploitable; active vulnerability refers to a condition whereby a victim's behavior contributes interactionally to a crime. Victimization of the elderly is not as great as one would suppose because vulnerability of the aged is, for the most part, unobtrusive in nature. Much more research needs to be conducted in this area of differential vulnerability of the elderly if rational strategies are to be developed to protect elderly citizens from victimization. A total of 21 references are provided. (Author abstract modified)