The purpose of the study was to determine the age 60+ population's perception of crime and to see how many were actually victims in the state of West Virginia. Out of 365,560 elderly people over the age of 60 in West Virginia, 1,500 were randomly selected and mailed a questionnaire. The response rate was 61.5%. The significance of this study is to make the public and the legislature aware that crimes do occur against the ledelry, however less frequently than younger vicitms of crime as this study demonstartes. Second, even though eldelry victimization rates are among the lowest of any group in our society, the fear of crime, and the extent to which persons percieve themselves as likely crime victims, has been heightened as a result of sensational crime reports in the media. Therefore, we need to first understand that crime does occur and then develop programs to address the problem.
Learning Objectives: N/A
Keywords: Aging,
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.