Elderly People and Domestic Crime

This article discusses the results of a survey of elderly people living in an urban community. The majority of these were very elderly women living alone. They expressed considerable anxiety about crime. The amount of crime and the type of crime they experienced took place in the domestic environment and this is illustrated. The reasons why elderly women are vulnerable to becoming victims of domestic crime are discussed within a framework of idea from the field of victimology and gerontology. It is suggested that elderly women experience particular difficulties in controlling their domestic space and that crime prevention strategies need to consider this carefully.