While rape is not frequently perpetrated against elderly women, they are frequently the victims of physical and psychological abuse by middle-aged children in stressful caregiving situations. Property crimes against elderly women are common, and purse snatchings are committed against older women living in deteriorating neighborhoods. Because elderly women have reduced mobility and cannot easily defend themselves, they are particularly prone to burglaries. They are also vulnerable to confidence games and consumer fraud. To protect the interests of this group, a number of laws have been passed with provisions directed at preventing crime against the elderly. They include the Federal Crime Insurance Program (Title VI of the Housing Act of 1970), the Crime Control Act of 1976, the Justice System Improvement Act of 1979, and the Public Housing Security Program of the Housing and Community Development Amendments of 1980. In addition, community organizations have conducted assessments of household security, general educational seminars, media campaigns, and training of professionals who work with the elderly. Unfortunately, fear of crime is expected to remain a serious problem among poorly educated elderly women with limited financial resources. A total of 18 references and tables are supplied.