Crime Against the Elderly in Later Life: The Broken Window Approach
摘要
The victimization of elderly is a concerning social issue for the Indian society in contemporary time. Today, elderly persons are being targeted by known and unknown persons for victimization. This victimization primarily impacts their social status and well-being and leads society and families to break up their social relations. This chapter tries to understand the nature of elderly victimization in Indian society using broken window theory. The chapter also examines the causes of elder victimization. This chapter is based on a study conducted on elderly persons living in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. The study finds that most of the elderly are targeted for theft and grievous hurt. The study further reveals that female elderly are targeted the most for chain/bag snatching and male elderly persons are victims of theft. This chapter also brings to attention the fact that most of the elderly are abused by family members and relatives. It is highlighted that elderly persons are mostly objects of prey due to their property and vulnerability. The chapter also discusses the legislations framed in India to curb elder abuse and crime against the elderly.