Crime and older people in Australia

Abstract

Official crime statistics show that people over the age of 65 are the least likely to be victimised, and that the prevalence of victimisation declines progressively from the early twenties. This paper will present data on crime victimisation and risk of older people, and strategies dealing with these phenomena. Older people are at risk from four main sources: Family members, friends and acquaintances, who may assault or steal from them; Strangers who may victimise them; Commercial organisations or "white collar" criminals who could defraud them; and Carers with whom they are in a "duty of care" relationship and who may neglect or abuse them. There are three issues concerned with older people in which social workers could play a professional role. These are: crime and abuse; fear of crime; and risk assessment and strategic partnership.