Since the 1970s, there has been an increase in concern about older people as victims of crime. This report shows that older people are at risk from a number of sources, including: family members and friends; strangers; commercial organisations; or carers. When understanding and responding to crime and older people there are, therefore, three issues which need to be discussed. These are: crime and abuse; fear of crime; and risk assessment and strategic partnership. This report summarises the important issues under debate, suggests ways of moving these debates forward, and reports on activities and programs around Australia which attempt to address the perceived problem of crime and older people.
This project was funded by the Crime Prevention Branch of the Criminal Justice Division, Commonwealth Attorney-General's Department.