News brief

Seniors 10 Times Safer from Violent Crime, Study Finds

May 1, 2000 – Senior Softball-USA

WASHINGTON - Seniors are much less likely to fall victim to violent crime than younger Americans, according to a surprising study by the US Department of Justice.

People 65 and older are 10 times less likely to be murdered, assaulted, robbed or victimized, according to the study, which was conducted from 1992 to 1997.

Seniors fell victim to violent crime at a rate of 5 per 1,000 compared with 56 violent crimes per 1,000 for younger Americans, aged 12-64.

The Justice Department officials said the lower crime rate for seniors may be because they live in safer areas that place them at less risk in the first place.

Other safety experts say that seniors have lived long enough to realize that violence should be avoided and they are more tolerant in potentially dangerous situations that may lead to conflict.