Crimes against the elderly in Italy, 2007–2014. (August 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Terranova, Claudio; Bevilacqua, Greta; Zen, Margherita; Montisci, Massimo
• Is Part Of: Journal of forensic and legal medicine. Volume 50(2017)
• Page Start: 20
• Page End: 27
• Publication Date: 2017-08
• Subjects: Elderly -- Violent and non-violent crimes -- Robbery -- Legal medicine; Medical jurisprudence -- Periodicals; Forensic sciences -- Periodicals; Forensic Medicine -- Periodicals; Médecine légale -- Périodiques; Electronic journals; 614.1
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jflm.2017.06.005
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1752-928X

Abstract

Abstract: Crimes against the elderly have physical, psychological, and economic consequences. Approaches for mitigating them must be based on comprehensive knowledge of the phenomenon. This study analyses crimes against the elderly in Italy during the period 2007–2014 from an epidemiological viewpoint. Data on violent and non-violent crimes derived from the Italian Institute of Statistics were analysed in relation to trends, gender and age by linear regression, T-test, and calculation of the odds ratio with a 95% confidence interval. Results show that the elderly are at higher risk of being victimized in two types of crime, violent (residential robbery) and non-violent (pick-pocketing and purse-snatching) compared with other age groups during the period considered. A statistically significant increase in residential robbery and pick-pocketing was also observed. The rate of homicide against the elderly was stable during the study period, in contrast with reduced rates in other age groups. These results may be explained by risk factors increasing the profiles of elderly individuals as potential victims, such as frailty, cognitive impairment, and social isolation. Further studies analysing the characteristics of victims are required. Based on the results presented here, appropriate preventive strategies should be planned to reduce crimes against the elderly. Highlights: The elderly represent a category of people vulnerable to crimes. Italian data on crimes in the elderly have been analysed in the period 2007–2014. Residential robberies, pickpocketing and purse-snatching were more frequent in the elderly. A statistically significant increase in residential robbery and pick-pocketing was observed. Preventive strategies should be planned to reduce crimes against the elderly.