NCJ Number
85270
Journal
Victimology Volume: 5 Issue: 2-4 Dated: (1980) Pages: 374-390
Date Published
1982
Length
17 pages
Annotation
Senior citizens are fearful of crime and need effective responses to their crime-related needs, particularly from the community agencies and the police.
Abstract
A national research and demonstration program indicated that the elderly need counseling, medical and financial help, replacement of lost documents, transportation, and other services. Successful victim assistance programs for the elderly must gain rapid access to crime victims. A speedy referral process is an important prerequisite for crisis intervention counseling. In obtaining police support for assistance programs, staff should emphasize how the program will be helping police. The elderly can be reached through a publicity campaign. Staff must then contact local agencies to arrange for service delivery to elderly clients; personal links between the project and agencies is recommended. Those staffing victim assistance projects should look for applicants exhibiting interest, concern, conscientiousness, intelligence, interpersonal communication skills, knowledge of the community, experience, and the ability to learn. Hiring other senior citizens and persons from the same ethnic group as clients is recommended. Currently, local governments are playing an increasingly active role in victim assistance, victim service programs are being decentralized, and traditional senior citizen agencies are showing greater interest in victim assistance. Several assistance programs are reviewed. Twenty-two references are listed.