An Examination of the Treatment of Elder Victims Throughout the Criminal Justice System

• In Event: Poster Session

Abstract

Traditionally, the focus of victimization research has focused on special populations such as women and children. However, the elderly have specialized needs that must be addressed in the detection and processing of cases as well. Very few comprehensive texts on the treatment of elderly victims by the criminal justice system exist and those that do deal almost exclusively with elder abuse. This poster depicts how law enforcement agencies, the courts, and victims’ service agencies are meeting the needs elderly victims and the current criminal justice efforts in place which are providing aid to elderly victims. Overall, there is progress being made to better understand the causes of elder victimization, intervene in the victims' and perpetrators' lives, and successfully prosecute these cases with minimal detrimental effects to the victim. The poster will detail policy recommendations regarding the facilitation of a more comprehensive examination of elder victimization and its processing.

Author

• Nancy R. Gartner, Sam Houston State University