NCJ Number
107291
Date Published
1985
Length
53 pages
Annotation
Programs, issues, and concerns focusing on youth violence and crime against the elderly are examined, and program models in California are described.
Abstract
Reduced physical ability combined with economic factors (e.g., poor transportation, housing in high crime areas) increases the vulnerability of the elderly to criminal victimization and results in a sense of helplessness and fear of crime. In addition, the financial, physical, and psychological impact of victimization often is greater among the elderly. In California, a number of programs, many involving private-public sector partnerships, have been developed to deal with the problems of elderly victimization and youth violence. These include a police crime prevention education and victim assistance and referral program targeted at seniors, a victim/witness assistance program, a community service program that coordinates juvenile diversion and senior victim services, and a victim-offender reconciliation program. Collaborative education and assistance programs include the Fresno Interagency Committee, the Crime Resistance Involvement Council, and Bay Area United Youth. Community programs include neighborhood forums and an anticrime self-help program. A workshop program and listing of participants are appended.