NCJ Number
65224
Date Published
1979
Length
6 pages
Annotation
VICTIMIZATION OF THE ELDERLY IS DISCUSSED, AND STEPS POLICE CAN TAKE TO ASSIST ELDERLY VICTIMS ARE OUTLINED.
Abstract
POLICE CONTACTS WITH SENIOR CITIZENS WHO HAVE BEEN CRIMINALLY VICTIMIZED REQUIRE SPECIAL THOUGHT AND ACTION CENTERING ON AN UNDERSTANDING OF THE PLIGHT OF THE ELDERLY VICTIM. MEASURES FOR THE PREVENTION AND REDUCTION OF CRIME AGAINST THE ELDERLY SHOULD BE BASED ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF ANTICRIME PROGRAMS THAT EXCEED THE TRADITIONAL POLICE ROLE. PROGRAMS TO COMBAT CRIME AGAINST THE ELDERLY SHOULD HAVE THE FOLLOWING GOALS: REDUCTION OF VIOLENT CRIMES AGAINST SENIOR CITIZENS THROUGH EDUCATION, SUCH AS RECOMMENDATIONS ABOUT INSTALLING SECURITY DEVICES; PROVISIONS OF ASSISTANCE TO ELDERLY CRIME VICTIMS BY REFERRAL TO SOCIAL SERVICES OR ADVICE ON OBTAINING PERSONAL COUNSELING; PROMOTION OF COMMUNITY SUPPORT TO SPECIALIZED SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY; AND USE OF SENIOR CITIZENS AS VOLUNTEERS IN ANTICRIME PROGRAMS. POLICE SHOULD ALSO HELP TO ESTABLISH COMMUNITY PROGRAMS. INDIVIDUALLY, POLICE OFFICERS CAN ASSIST ELDERLY VICTIMS BY USING COMMUNICATIONS SKILLS THAT COMFORT THE VICTIMS, CLARIFYING THE ASSISTANCE THAT CAN BE REALISTICALLY EXPECTED, AND ASSURING THEM OF THE FULL COOPERATION OF THE POLICE IN INVESTIGATING THE CRIME. OFFICERS SHOULD INFORM ELDERLY VICTIMS OF THE MEASURES THAT CAN BE TAKEN TO AVOID BEING VICTIMIZED AGAIN. RECOGNITION SHOULD BE GIVEN TO THE DISABILITIES OF THE ELDERLY, PARTICULARLY POOR VISION OR HEARING. BOTH VERBAL AND NONVERBAL TECHNIQUES FOR COMMUNICATING WITH THE ELDERLY ARE OUTLINED, AND SUGGESTIONS ARE MADE ON HOW TO CONDUCT INTERVIEWS WITH OLDER VICTIMS OR WITNESSES. (MJW)