Crimes against the Elderly in India: A Content Analysis on Factors causing Fear of Crime

Anindya J. Mishra, Avanish Bhai Patel

Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, India

Abstract:

The cases of crimes against the elderly are rising fast across India. Today, they are victims of grievous hurt, murder, and abuse and isolated by neighbors, family members and domestic servants. These cases have certainly affected the way of life and sense of well being of the elderly to a large extent in the family as well as in the society. This paper examines the factors causing fear of crime among the elderly and explores the different types of crime which are raising the fear of crime. This study is based on secondary data collected from news papers. These news items pertaining to crimes against the elderly have been systematically collected and their content has been analyzed. The findings show that there are various factors such as residential location, previous victimization experience, vulnerability, defensibility and incivility that cause fear of crime in the minds of the elders in India.

Keyword:

Crimes against Elderly, Factors, Fear of Crime, Content Analysis, Vulnerability.