NCJ Number
79271
Date Published
1981
Length
22 pages
Annotation
Focusing on ways in which senior citizens are providing assistance to victims and witnesses of crime, this brochure examines the emergence of the victims' movement in criminal justice, governmental responses to the needs of older persons, the growth of the senior citizen political movement, and the use of senior volunteers in community services.
Abstract
Following a discussion of recent advances in the victims' movement, a profile of older Americans is provided, with comments on common sterotypes of older persons, such as that they are all frail and sickly. Federal programs established to aid the elderly are identified, as are eight national organizations which provide services to the elderly and other organizations set up to aid the aged. Barriers to using senior citizen volunteers are detailed, and potential roles for such volunteers in victim/witness assistance programs are discussed. The elderly volunteer can serve as an information specialist, and administrative aide, a friend in court, a court monitor, a mediator, or a counselor. About 30 victim/witness programs are currently using senior volunteers in a variety of ways and are pleased with the results. Footnotes and endnotes are supplied.