Abstract
Surveys throughout the world have shown consistently that persons over 65 are far less likely to be victims of crime than younger age groups. However, many elderly people are unduly fearful about crime which has an adverse effect on their quality of life. This Trends and Issues puts this matter into perspective, but also discusses the more covert phenomena of abuse and neglect of the elderly. Our senior citizens have earned the right to live indignity and without fear: the community as a whole should contribute to this process.