Ronet Bachman, Ph.D., Bureau of Justice Statistics

October 1, 1992    NCJ 138330

The study found that the elderly were significantly less likely than younger age groups to become the victims of virtually all types of crime; however, elderly robbery victims were more likely than younger victims to face multiple offenders and also more likely to face offenders armed with guns. Elderly victims of violent crime were more likely than other victims to report that their assailants were strangers. Consistent with this pattern, among homicide victims the elderly were more likely to be killed by a stranger during the commission of a felony. Elderly victims of violent crime were significantly more likely to be victimized at or near their homes than victims under the age of 65. Elderly victims of violent crime were less likely to use measures of self-protection compared to victims under the age of 65. Elderly victims of all forms of crime were more likely to report their victimizations to the police compared to victims under the age of 65. Among the elderly, certain groups were more likely to be victimized than others: males, blacks, divorced or separated persons, urban residents, and renters. Those elderly in the lowest income categories were more likely to experience a violent crime but less likely to experience theft than those with higher household incomes. 17 tables

Part of the Criminal Victimization: National Crime Victimization Survey Series

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