Revised 2/7/00

Crimes against Persons

Age 65 or Older, 1992-97

U.S. Department of Justice

Office of Justice Programs

Bureau of Justice Statistics

OPEN SIDE

 0 Trends

 0 Gender, race, and income

 0 Victim-offender relationship 

 0 Crimes of violence

 0 Property crimes

 0 Reporting to police

 
Crimes against Persons 

Age 65 or Older, 1992-97

by Patsy A. Klaus

BJS Statistician

January 2000, NCJ 176352

U.S. Department of Justice

Office of Justice Programs
ii Crimes against Persons Age 65 or Older, 1992-97

U.S. Department of Justice

Bureau of Justice Statistics

Jan M. Chaiken, Ph.D.

Director

This Bureau of Justice Statistics report

was written by Patsy A. Klaus. Cathy

Maston verfied the data. Tom Hester

produced the report, with graphic assistance from the BJS editorial team of

Yvonne Boston, Tina Dorsey, Ida

Hines, and Rhonda Keith. Jayne

Robinson prepared the report for 

printing. 

Contents

Highlights 1

Measuring crime against 

persons age 65 or older 3

Prevalence of crime, 1992-97 5

Declining rates of crime 

for persons age 65 or older,

1973-97 7

Comparing rates of nonlethal

violence 8 

Comparing rates of property 

crime 9

Victims of murder, 1992-97 10

Victims of nonlethal violence,

1992-97 11

Victims of property crime, 

1992-97 12

Victimization by those whom 

the victim knew well 13

Weapons used against victims, 

1992-97 16

Injury from violence, 1992-97 17 

Characteristics of violent 

victimizations, 1992-97 18 

Purse snatching and pocket

picking (personal theft), 

1992-97 22

Property crimes, 1992-97 23

Reporting crime to the police 25

National Crime Victimization 

Survey methodology 26

Appendix tables 28

The International Year 

of Older Persons

The General Assembly of the United

Nations observed the year 1999 as

the International Year of Older

Persons “in recognition of humanity’s

demographic coming of age and the

promise it holds for maturing

attitudes and capabilities in social,

economic, cultural and spiritual

undertakings....” (Resolution 47/5)

The year’s theme was “Towards a

Society for All Ages.” “A society for

all ages is one that does not caricature older persons as patients and

pensioners. Instead, it sees them 

as both agents and beneficiaries 

of development.” & Kofi Annan,

Secretary-General of the United

Nations, October 1, 1998

The Bureau of Justice Statistics

presents this comprehensive report

about criminal victimization of

persons age 65 or older in the

context of a society with appropriate

concerns for all age groups.

 Jan M. Chaiken, Ph.D.

 Director
Between 1992 and 1997 the average

population of persons age 65 or older

was 31.3 million. These elderly were

victims of 2.7 million property and

violent crimes, either completed or

attempted &

& 2.5 million property crimes

(household burglary, motor

vehicle theft, and household

theft)

& 46,000 purse snatchings or pocket

pickings

& 165,000 nonlethal violent crimes

(rape, robbery, and aggravated

and simple assault) & 1,000 murders

(These annual averages describe 

data aggregated across the 6 years,

providing a large enough number of

cases for more detailed analyses. 

See page 27 for further explanation.)

When compared with other age

groups, the elderly were disproportionately affected by property crimes.

More than 9 in 10 crimes against the

elderly were property crimes,

compared to fewer than 4 in 10 crimes

against persons age 12 to 24.

The elderly made up 15% of the

population age 12 or older, but

accounted for 7% of measured crimes.

Robbery accounted for a quarter of the

violent crimes against persons age 65

or older, but less than an eighth of the

violent crimes experienced by those

age 12-64.

In general, compared with crime

incidents involving other age groups,

most crimes against the elderly were

more likely to occur in or near their

homes, and to occur in daylight hours.

Differences in lifestyle may account 

in part for when and where crimes 

against the elderly occurred. For

example, victims of nonlethal violence

who said that they never went out at

night for entertainment, work, shopping

or other similar activities included &

& 22% of victims age 65 or older

& About 3% of victims in age groups 

 under 50.

Highlights

Crimes against Persons Age 65 or Older, 1992-97 1

The elderly, persons age 65 or older, experienced less violence 

and fewer property crimes than younger persons

65 or older

50-64

25-49

12-24

0 20 40 60 80 100 120

Annual rate of violence

per 1,000 persons

On average, 1992-97, for every

1,000 persons at their age level,

persons age 65 or older

experienced about 5 violent

crimes and those younger than

age 25 experienced over 100
Elderly victims of nonlethal violence

were less likely than younger victims to

go out at night.

Compared with violent crime victims in

other age groups, elderly victims of

nonlethal violence were less likely

to use self-protective measures, such

as arguing with the offender, running

away, calling for help, or attacking the

offender.

More than 1 in 5 elderly victims of

nonlethal violence sustained injuries. 

For some crimes, such as overall

violence, the elderly were more likely to

report crimes to police than victims in 

other age groups. In all age groups,

however, many crimes were not

reported. 

2 Crimes against Persons Age 65 or Older, 1992-97

65 or older 49

50-64 69

25-49 73

12-24 71

All ages 71%

Percent of victims 

of nonlethal

violence resisting 

Age of victim the offender

65 or older

50-64

25-49

12-24

0 100 200 300 400 500

Annual rate of property

crime per 1,000 households

On average from 1992 to 1997, the

rate of property crime for persons

age 65 or older was less than a

fourth that of the young (117 crimes

per 1,000 elderly households and

480 crimes per 1,000 households 

of the young)
Measuring crime against persons age 65 or older

Crimes against Persons Age 65 or Older, 1992-97 3

Figure 1

“The elderly,” a synonym for

persons age 65 or older, comprise 

over 1 in 8 U.S. residents 

In 1997 persons age 65 or older made

up 12.7% of the United States

population.

In 1995 about 4% of persons age 65

or older, or 1.4 million, resided in

nursing homes or other long-term care

facilities. 

Persons age 65 or older made up 89%

of all persons in nursing homes in

1995. Although this age group is

disproportionately represented in the

population of this type of institution,

other age groups are disproportionately represented in other types, such

as prisons. 

Households form the basis for the 

National Crime Victimization Survey

The National Crime Victimization

Survey (NCVS) does not interview

members of any type of

institutionalized population. Crimes

occurring in these settings are missed.

In particular, violence, abuse, neglect,

theft, or other victimization of older

persons in nursing homes are not

measured through this survey. 

Crimes measured by the NCVS

include rape and sexual assault,

robbery, aggravated and simple

assault, purse snatching and pocket

picking, household burglary, motor

vehicle theft, and theft from the home

or car. The NCVS does not measure

kidnaping, crimes against businesses,

fraud (including telemarketing scams),

and other economic or “white collar”

crimes.

Some experts believe that some

economic crimes, such as fraud,

disproportionately impact persons age

65 or older. The NCVS does not

collect data to support or dispute this

observation.

The elderly generally experienced

crime at lower rates than persons 

in other age categories

Although persons age 65 or older 

made up 15% of the population age 12

or older between 1992 and 1997, they

accounted for about 7% of all crime

measured by NCVS during that period.

For violent crimes, in particular, the

elderly experienced much lower rates

than other age groups. On average

between 1992 and 1997, 5 persons

Household head

The NCVS relies on one person 

in a household to report the

household crimes of burglary, motor

vehicle theft, and theft. The term

“household head” designates this

person in analyzing findings about

property crime from the NCVS. 

The household head concept is

used because the crimes are

assumed to be against an entire

household rather than a single

victim.

 A household head is nearly always

an adult, and can be either male or

female. 
4 Crimes against Persons Age 65 or Older, 1992-97

per 1,000, age 65 or older,

experienced a violent crime (including

murder, rape or sexual assault,

robbery, or aggravated or simple

assault). For persons ages 50-64, the

overall violence rate was 16 per 1,000

persons, compared with 47 per 1,000

persons ages 25-49 and 105 per 1,000

persons ages 12-24. Most data in this

report are presented as an annual

average of 6 years of surveys because

of the relatively small number of

sample cases from a single year. 

The one crime category which affected

the elderly at about the same rate as 

most others in the population (except

those ages 12-24) was personal theft,

which includes purse snatching and

pocket picking.

Not only were the elderly victimized

less often, but a greater percentage 

of victimizations against the elderly,

compared to those against younger

persons, were property crimes. Of all

victimizations from 1992 to 1997, 92%

of those reported by a person age 65

or older were property crimes, versus

72% of those reported by a person

under age 65.

21,161,850

Households heads 

age 65 or older

Theft 1,733,160 64.3

Motor vehicle theft 124,930 4.6

Household burglary 623,790 23.2

Property crimes 2,481,870 92.1%

31,296,350

Number of persons 

age 65 or older

Personal theft 46,090 1.7

 Simple assault 87,050 3.2

 Aggravated assault 34,050 1.3

 Total assault 121,100 4.5

 Robbery 40,950 1.5

 Rape/Sexual assault 3,280 0.12

Nonfatal violence 165,330 6.1

Murder 1,000 0.04

Crimes of violence 166,330 6.2

Personal crimes 212,420 7.9%

Total crimes 2,694,290 100.0%

Percent 

Average number

per year, 1992-97

Victimizations of persons age 65 

or older or of households with a

head of household age 65 or older

Property 92.1 71.8

1.7 0.9

Pocket picking/

purse snatching

Violent 6.2% 27.3%

Ages 

12-64

Age 65 or

older

Type of 

victimization

Percent of victimizations,

1992-97, by victims or

heads of households &
Prevalence of crime, 1992-97 

Crimes against Persons Age 65 or Older, 1992-97 5

Rates of violent crime.

by age 1992-1997

Property crime, not violence, provided the highest percentage of crime

against persons age 65 or older 

Property

Violence

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Percent of all crime, 1992-97,

Age 65 or more

against each age group

Ages 12-64 & Violence made up

27% of crimes against

persons ages 12-64,

compared to 6% of

crimes against persons

over 64.

Compared with other age groups, persons over 64 had lower rates

overall for both violent and property crime

per 1,000 persons

Rate of violent crime

Age of victim

12- 25- 50- 65 or

24 49 64 older

100

80

60

40

20

 0

Violence includes murder, rape and 

sexual assault, robbery, and simple 

and aggravated assault.

Rate of property crime

Age of head of household

600

400

200

0

12- 25- 50- 65 or

24 49 64 older

per 1,000 households

5.3 violent crimes per 1,000 persons

age 65 or older & about a tenth the 

rate for persons younger than 65

117.3 property crimes per 1,000

households with a household head 

age 65 or older & about a third

the rate for younger households

Property crime includes household

burglary, motor vehicle theft, and 

theft.
.

6 Crimes against Persons Age 65 or Older, 1992-97

The elderly had lower victimization rates than other age groups for all

types of violent and property crime measured by the NCVS, 1992-97

Simple assault

Aggravated assault

Robbery

Rape/Sexual assault

Murder

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40

Annual rate per 1,000 persons

Age 65 or older

Ages 12-64

Compared to persons ages 12-64, 

the elderly were &

& About 5 times less likely 

to be victims of robbery

& About 12 times less likely 

to be victims of aggravated 

or simple assault.

Theft

Motor vehicle theft

Household burglary

0 50 100 150 200 250 300

Annual rate per 1,000 households

Age 65 or older

Ages 12-64

Compared to households 

with a head under age 65, 

elderly households were &

& About half as likely to 

be victims of burglary

& About 3 times less likely 

to be victims of motor vehicle 

theft or theft.
 

Declining rates of crime for persons age 65 or older, 1973-97

Crimes against Persons Age 65 or Older, 1992-97 7

Rates of nonfatal violence against persons 

age 65 or older declined, 1973-97 

1975 1980 1985 1990 1995

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

Rate of violent victimizations

12-24

25-49

50-64

65+

per 1,000 persons in each age category In 1973 persons age 65 or older 

were assaulted or robbed at a

rate of 9 victimizations per 1,000

persons. (This rate is weighted 

to adjust for NCVS questions

changed in 1992. See the

methodology section on page 26.)

By 1997 the rate had fallen to 4.5

victimizations per 1,000 persons. 

For households with a person age 65 or older as head, 

property crimes in 1997 occurred at half the 1973 rate 

1975 1980 1985 1990 1995

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

Rate of property victimizations

35-49 12-34

50-64

65+

per 1,000 households in each age category Rates of property crimes

(burglary, motor vehicle

theft, and theft) against

households with an elderly

head of household: 

205 per 1,000 households

in 1973

96 per 1,000 in 1997.

Rates of murder against persons age 65 or older declined after 1976

while those against persons ages 12-24 fluctuated 

1980 1985 1990 1995

Murder rate per 10,000 persons

in each age category

12-24

25-49

65+

50-64

2

1

The murder rate 

for persons age 65

or older declined by

half, from 0.56

murders per 10,000

persons in 1976 to

0.27 per 10,000 in

1997.
 

Comparing rates of nonlethal violence

8 Crimes against Persons Age 65 or Older, 1992-97

Note: This report applies the following age categories: ♦ Young (ages 12-24) 

♦ Adult (ages 24-49) ♦ Older adult (ages 50-64) ♦ Elderly (age 65 or older)

*The apparent difference between elderly females is not statistically significant. 

Elderly white females (4)*

Elderly white males (6)

Elderly black females (7)*

10 Older adult black females (10)

Older adult white females (13)

Elderly black males (15)

20 Older adult white males (20)

Older adult black males (23)

30

40

Adult white females (42)

Adult black females (46)

50 Adult white males (51)

60

Adult black males (62)

70

80

Young white females (84)

90

100

Young black males (107)

Young black females (109)

110

120

Young white males (126)

130

per 1,000 persons

Rate of violent victimization

White women age 65 or older had the lowest rate 

of nonlethal violent victimization, 1992-97
 

Comparing rates of property crime

 Crimes against Persons Age 65 or Older, 1992-97 9

Note: This report applies the following age categories: ♦ Young (ages 12-24) 

♦ Adult (ages 24-49)♦ Older adult (ages 50-64)♦ Elderly (age 65 or older)

100 Elderly white females (101)

Elderly white males (119)

Elderly black females (163)

200

Elderly black males (214)

Older adult white females (226)

Older adult white males (240)

Older adult black females (252)

Older adult black males (296)

300

Adult white males (345)

Adult black females (368)

Adult white females (381)

Adult black males (383)

400

Young black females (442)

Young white females (484)

500

Young white males (502)

Young black males (552)

560

Head of household

Rate of property crime

per 1,000 households

Households with a white female head of household age 65 

or older had the lowest property crime rates, 1992-97
Victims of murder, 1992-97

10 Crimes against Persons Age 65 or Older, 1992-97

Whites were the least likely of the racial groups to be victims of murder,

regardless of age 

 

For every 100,000 persons

age 65 or older &

 White & 2 murders

 Black &12 murders

 Other & 3 murders

For every 100,000 persons

ages 12-64 &

 White & 6 murders

 Black &43 murders

 Other & 7 murders

Other 

Black

White

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45

Race of victim

Rate of murder per 100,000 persons

in each age and racial category

Ages 12-64

Age 65 or older

Each year between 1992 and 1997, about 3 per 100,000 persons 

age 65 or older were murdered

Persons ages 12-24 were

about 5 times as likely as 

the elderly to be murdered.

Persons ages 25-49 were

over 3 times as likely. 65 or older

50-64

25-49

12-24

0 5 10 15 20

Age of victim

Rate of murder per 100,000 persons

in each age category

In every age category, the rate of murder for males 

was about double that for females

For every 100,000 persons

age 65 or older &

 Males & 4 murders

 Females & 2 murders

 

For every 100,000 persons

ages 12-64 &

 Males & 17 murders

 Females & 4 murders

 Female

 Male

0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18

Gender of victim

Rate of murder per 100,000 persons
Victims of nonlethal violence, 1992-97

Crimes against Persons Age 65 or Older, 1992-97 11

Among elderly victims of nonlethal violence, blacks experienced 

higher rates than whites, and Hispanics experienced higher rates 

than non-Hispanics

 

Non-Hispanic

Hispanic

Other

Black

White

0 2 4 6 8 10 12

Rate per 1,000 persons 

age 65 or older

On average each year, 1992-97, the number

of nonlethal violent crimes for every 1,000

elderly persons in each category &

10 crimes against blacks

 5 against whites

11 crimes against Hispanics

 5 crimes against non-Hispanics

Divorced or separated elderly persons had higher rates of 

nonlethal violence than those who were married or widowed

 

On average each year, 1992-97, the number

of nonlethal violent crimes for every 1,000

elderly persons in each category &

14 crimes against divorced/separated 

 4 crimes against married or widowed

 Divorced/

 Widowed

 Married

Never married

0 5 10 15 20

Rate per 1,000 persons 

 age 65 or older

separated

Elderly men experienced higher rates of nonlethal violence 

than elderly women

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Black

 White

Total

0 5 10 15 20

Rate per 1,000 persons 

Female

Male

age 65 or older

On average each year, 1992-97, the number

of nonlethal violent crimes for every 1,000

elderly persons in each category &

15 crimes against black men

 6 crimes against white men

 7 crimes against black women*

 4 crimes against white women*

*The apparent difference between elderly women

is not statistically significant.
 

 

Victims of property crime, 1992-97

12 Crimes against Persons Age 65 or Older, 1992-97

Property crime rates for households with an elderly head of household

were higher for blacks and Hispanics

Non-Hispanic

Hispanic

Other

Black

White

0 60 120 180 240

Rates per 1,000 households

with an elderly head

On average each year, 1992-97,

for every 1,000 households with an 

elderly head of household, the number 

of property crimes in each category &

184 crimes against black households 

110 crimes against white households

168 crimes against Hispanic households

115 crimes against non-Hispanics.

Among households with an elderly head of household, property crime

rates were higher in those having annual incomes over $50,000

Under $15,000

$15,000-$24,999

$25,000-$34,999

$35,000-$49,000

$50,000 or more

0 30 60 90 120 150 180

Annual household income

Rate of property crime per 1,000

households headed by elderly

On average each year, 1992-97, 

for every 1,000 households with an 

elderly head of household, the

number of property crimes ranged

from &

103 crimes against households with

less than $15,000 per year 

to &

179 crimes against households with

more than $50,000 per year.

Among households having a head of household age 65 or older, higher

rates of property crime victimization were associated with divorced or

separated persons rather than with married or never married persons 

separated

Divorced/

Widowed

Married

Single

0 50 100 150 200

Rate per 1,000 households

with an elderly head

Male

Female

On average each year, 1992-97, 

for every 1,000 households with an 

elderly head of household, the number 

of property crimes in each category &

186 crimes against households headed 

by a divorced or separated man

154 crimes against households headed 

by a divorced or separated woman.
 

Victimization by those whom the victim knew well

 Crimes against Persons Age 65 or Older, 1992-97 13

There is much interest in measuring

what is often called “elder abuse.” The

general concept involved in the

numerous definitions of “elder abuse”

is that the victim is injured, neglected,

or exploited because of vulnerabilities

associated with age, such as impaired

physical or mental capacities.

The NCVS cannot accurately measure

this category of crime, which is difficult

to determine using any methodology.

A mentally impaired person may not be

able to report a victimization or to

describe its details. If the victimization

is reported, the report might not be

believed. Victims dependent on

abusive caretakers may not feel free 

to report the abuse. Financial exploitation, including theft or fraud, may

occur without the victim’s knowledge.

The NCVS does measure violent

crimes committed against persons age

65 or older by relatives, intimates, or

persons well known to the victim. The

NCVS includes crimes occurring to

persons living in households but not in

institutional settings, such as nursing

homes. Data on these violent crimes

are presented to provide some

information on crimes that might be

part of “elder abuse.”

Information about murder comes from

the Uniform Crime Reports.

Information is presented on murders

that relatives or intimates or persons

known to the victim committed against

victims age 65 or older.

For the persons age 65 or older, as 

for other age groups, most violence

measured by the NCVS is simple

assault. Simple assault is defined as

an attack without a weapon, resulting

either in no injury or in a minor injury,

such as cuts or bruises. Simple

assault includes attempted attacks 

and verbal threats to attack or kill the

victim.
14 Crimes against Persons Age 65 or Older, 1992-97

 Others known to victim 240

 Relatives and intimates 260

Total 500

Murder committed by &

 Others well known to victim 21,250

 Relatives and intimates 15,040

Total 36,290

Nonlethal violence committed by &

Average annual elderly 

victims per year, 1992-97

Each year on average between 1992 and 1997, 

a relative, intimate, or close acquaintance injured

about 36,000 persons age 65 or older and killed

about 500

*Estimate based on 10 or fewer cases.

When comparing nonlethal violence committed by relatives or persons well known to

the victim with other nonlethal violence against persons age 65 or older, 1992-97:

 ̆ There were no significant differences in whether the victims used self-protective

measures. 

 ̆ Injury appeared to be more likely for violence by relatives or well-known

offenders, although the difference was not statistically significant.

 ̆ Violence by relatives or persons well known to the victim was more likely to 

occur in the victim’s home.

Occurred in daytime 63.0 72.4

Occurred in victims' home 68.8 36.0

Victim injured 30.7 19.6

Self protection used by victim 47.4 50.2

Weapon used by offender 19.5%* 36.7%

By strangers or 

casual acquaintances

By relatives or others

well known to victim

Nonlethal violence against persons age 65 or older

When faced with violence by a relative, intimate, or close acquaintance,

about two-thirds of the elderly victims were at home, about two-thirds 

avoided injury, and about half used some self-protective measure
 

Crimes against Persons Age 65 or Older, 1992-97 15

Note: “Other known” murder victims includes a wide variety of relationships.

These data cannot be classified into “well known” and “casual acquaintances.” For nonlethal violence, the victim identified the nature of the

relationship as “well known” or “casual acquaintance.” 

Unknown relationship 7.4 3.3

Strangers 56.2 48.4

Casual acquaintances 14.5 18.0

Well known 12.9 15.3

Relatives or intimates 9.1 15.0

Total nonlethal violence 100.0% 100.0%

Unknown relationship 35.3 39.9

Stranger 14.6 14.3

Other known 23.7 32.3

Relative, intimate 26.4 13.5

Nonstranger total 50.1 45.8

Murder 100.0% 100.0%

65 or older 12-64

Type of violence and 

victim-offender relationship

Age of victim

Relatives or intimates committed more than 

1 in 4 of the murders and 1 in 10 of the incidents 

of nonlethal violence against persons age 65 or older

Victims of murder over age 64 were 2 times 

more likely than victims between ages 12 and 64 

to have been killed by relatives or intimates, 1992-97
 

 

Weapons used against victims, 1992-97

16 Crimes against Persons Age 65 or Older, 1992-97

*Includes many other methods, such as suffocation,

drowning, poisoning, and other methods, in which a

weapon may not have been used.

Unknown 9.1 3.9

Other or no weapon* 19.2 5.9

Blunt object 13.4 3.9

Knife 22.3 13.2

Firearm 36.1 73.0

All weapons/methods 100.0% 100.0%

65 or older 12 -64

Age of victim

Elderly victims were much less likely than

younger victims to be murdered with a firearm,

1992-97

65 or more

50-64

25-49

12-24

0% 20% 40%

Age of victims

Percent of victims of violence

against whom a

weapon was used,

annual average, 1992-97

Weapons were somewhat more likely

to be used against elderly victims 

of nonlethal violence than against

younger victims

Unknown

Other

Knife

Firearm

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50%

Weapons used against elderly victims

Percent of nonlethal violence

against elderly victims

in which a weapon was used,

annual average, 1992-97

Firearms comprised more than 40% 

of the weapons used against the

elderly in nonlethal violence

Among victims of nonlethal violence, the elderly were 

less likely than younger victims to have protected themselves 

in some way or to have resisted the offender, 1992-97

Percent of all victims

of violence who resisted 

 All age groups 71.4%

12 - 24 71.1

25 - 49 72.7

50 - 64 68.6

65 or older 49.4
Injury from violence, 1992-97

Crimes against Persons Age 65 or Older, 1992-97 17

Note: Differences between age categories are not statistically significant. 

*Based on 10 or fewer cases.

a

Serious injury includes gunshot, knife, or stab wounds, internal injuries, 

broken bones, or being knocked unconscious. 

b

Minor injury includes bruises, scratches, and cuts.

65 or older 12.9 85.2 1.9* 0*

50 - 64 21.5 77.0 1.1* 0.4

25 - 49 14.6 79.5 5.1 0.8

12 - 24 11.5 83.9 4.3 0.3*

All ages 13.2% 81.8% 4.5% 0.5%

Severity

unknown

Rape/sexual assault

without other injury

Minor

injuryb

Serious

injurya

Age of

victim

Percent of injured victims of violence

Elderly persons were about as likely as younger persons 

to sustain severe injuries from nonlethal violence, 1992-97

65 or older 22.1

50 - 64 17.5

25 - 49 23.5

12 - 24 28.3%

Percent of violence

with injury

Age of victim

of nonlethal violence

Victims of violence age 25 or older had 

a similar likelihood of injury

 ̆About 6% of all elderly victims of nonlethal violence went to the hospital for

emergency room care or other type of treatment.

 ̆About 11% of all nonlethal violence against the elderly resulted in medical treatment.

 ̆More than three-fourths of elderly nonlethal violence victims were not injured.

*Based on 10 or fewer cases.

4.7% 0.9%

Hospitalized*

Released from

emergency room

2.9% 2.1% 5.6% 0.6%

Hospital Elsewhere*

Doctor’s

At scene office*

10.9% 11.2%

Treated

Not

treated

77.9% 22.1%

Injured

Not

injured

On average each year 1992-97, of persons age 65 or older who reported being 

a victim of violence, 22% were injured and 1% were hospitalized overnight
 

 

Characteristics of violent victimizations, 1992-97

18 Crimes against Persons Age 65 or Older, 1992-97

65 or older

50-64

25-49

12-24

0% 20% 40% 60% 80%

Age of victim

Percent of nonlethal violence

Daytime

Nighttime

Nonlethal violence 

was more likely to occur

in the day than at night 

for persons of ages 12 to

24 and 50 or older. 

About equal amount of

violence occurred against

persons ages 25 to 49 at

night and during the day.

neighbor's home

or parking lot

on public transportation

Other

Open area or 

Commercial place

Friend's or 

Victim's home

0% 25% 50%

Where violence occurred

Percent of nonlethal violence

Ages12-64

Age 65 or older

Nonlethal violence 

that occurred in or near 

the victim’s home:

43% of elderly victims

26% of victims ages 12-64

70% of nonlethal violence against persons over age 64 

occurred during the day

*Based on 10 or fewer sample cases.

Unknown 1.1* 0.7

Never 22.0 3.4

Monthly 11.8 6.0

Weekly 55.7 52.7

Every night 9.5% 37.2%

Percent of victims of

violence who went out &

65 or more 12-64

 Age of victim Persons who said

they went out every

night accounted for

10% of all elderly

victims of violence,

compared to 37%

of younger persons

who were victims of

violence.

Among victims of nonlethal violence, persons age 65 or older were about 

6 times more likely than younger persons to “never” go out at night

43% of nonlethal violence against persons over 

age 64 occurred in or near the victim’s home
 

 Crimes against Persons Age 65 or Older, 1992-97 19

Among offenses with

elderly victims, 10% 

of murders and 23% 

of nonlethal violent

victimizations were

known to involve more

than one offender.

Almost 9 in 10 murders

and nonlethal

victimizations with an

elderly victim involved

only one victim.

*Estimate is based on 10 or fewer cases.

Number of offenders unknown 0.7 0.5*

Multiple offenders 3.3 5.5

One offender 7.1 9.6

Multiple victims 11.1 15.5

Number of offenders unknown 4.5 2.6

Multiple offenders 20.1 14.8

One offender 64.3 67.1

One victim 88.9 84.5

All nonlethal violence, 1992-97 100.0% 100.0%

Number of offenders unknown 2.4 2.5

Multiple offenders 1.8 1.7

One offender 6.8 3.6

Multiple victims 11.0 7.8

Number of offenders unknown 28.2 31.3

Multiple offenders 8.2 10.9

One offender 52.6 50.0

One victim 89.0 92.2

All murders, 1992-97 100.0% 100.0%

12-64

65 or

older

Age of victim

Both murder and nonlethal violence usually

involved one victim and one offender
20 Crimes against Persons Age 65 or Older, 1992-97

Unknown 31.5 34.7

Other 1.1 1.5

Black 27.2 35.3

White 40.2% 28.4%

Race 

Unknown 30.7 33.9

Female 9.8 5.3

Male 59.5% 60.8%

Gender 

Ages 12-64

Age 65 or

older

Characteristics 

of murderers

Percent of murder victims

Males committed 60% of the murders 

of both elderly and younger victims

Whites committed a larger proportion

of the murders of persons age 65 or older

than of persons ages 12-64, 1992-97

 Unknown

65 or older

50-64

25-49

Under age 25

0% 20% 40%

Age of murderer

Percent of murders

Victims 65 or older

Victims 12-64

Of murders of persons age 65 or older &

persons age 65 or older committed 11% 

persons between ages 25 and 49 committed 33%

persons younger than 25 committed 17%
 

 Crimes against Persons Age 65 or Older, 1992-97 21

*Based on 10 or fewer unweighted cases.

Other race victim(s) total 2.4%* 3.1

Offender of unknown race 1.6* 0.5

Offenders of more than 1 race 0.5* 0.4

Other race offender 0.7* 0.9

Black offender 12.0 11.2

White offender 0.4* 1.7

Black victim(s) total 15.2% 14.6%

Offender of unknown race 7.3 3.3

Offenders of more than 1 race 2.5* 2.3

Other race offender 5.6 7.4

Black offender 19.3 14.5

White offender 47.8 54.7

White victim(s) total 82.4% 82.3%

Total, all victims and offenders 100.0% 100.0%

Ages 12-64

Age 65 

or older

Victims of violence

Almost half the nonlethal violence against persons age 65 

or older involved a white offender and a white victim;

almost a fifth, a black offender and a white victim; and

about an eighth, a black offender and a black victim

Other, mixed, or unknown race(s) 19.7 16.0

Black 31.8 26.2

White 48.5 57.8

Total 100.0% 100.0

Race of offender(s)

Unknown 6.3 2.4

Both genders 4.2 3.0

Female 13.2 14.4

Male 76.3 80.2

Total 100.0% 100.0%

Gender of offender(s)

Ages 12-64

65 or

older

Percent of victims

Males committed over three-fourths of the

nonlethal violence against persons age 65 or

older; white offenders committed almost half,

1992-97
 

Purse snatching and pocket picking (personal theft), 1992-97

22 Crimes Against Persons Age 65 or Older, 1992-97

& 90% of elderly victims

of personal theft reported

going shopping at least

once a week or more.

& Among victims of

purse snatching and

pocket picking, persons

age 65 or older (87%)

were more likely than

others (64%) to be

victimized during the day.

*Estimate is based on 10 or fewer cases.

Never or unknown 0* 3.6*

Less often 0.8* 1.6*

At least once a month 8.9 13.2

At least once a week 54.9 55.6

Almost every day or more 35.4 26.0

Total 100.0% 100.0%

How often did victim go shopping

Unknown 0.7* 1.9*

Night 12.3 34.3

Day 87.0 63.7

Time of occurrence 100.0% 100.0%

Other 10.1 23.2

Public transportation 16.9 10.9

Open area or street 22.5 22.4

Parking lot or garage 6.1* 5.9

Commercial place 40.6 30.7

Own home or friend’s home 3.8* 6.9

Place of occurrence 100.0% 100.0%

Ages 

12-64

65 or

older

Percent of victims

Most personal theft from elderly persons took

place in stores or other businesses and occurred 

during the day

The average annual rate of personal thefts (11⁄2 thefts per 1,000 elderly

persons) was similar to the rates for persons ages 25-49 and ages 60-64 

but was half the rate of personal theft per 1,000 persons ages 12-24

65 or older

50-64

25-49

12-24

Rate per 1,000 persons

0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0 3.5

Age of

victim
 

Property crimes, 1992-97

Crimes against Persons Age 65 or Older, 1992-97 23

& More than half of

motor vehicle thefts

from elderly households

occurred near their

homes, compared with

less than half for other

age groups.

& Motor vehicle thefts

from elderly households

were less likely than

those from other age

groups to occur in

parking lots or garages.

& About 3 in 5 thefts

from elderly households

occurred near their or a

friend’s or neighbor’s

home. (Theft from a car

is categorized as a

household theft.)

& Household heads 

in all age groups often

did not know the time 

of day when property

crimes occurred. 

& Among elderly

households, burglary

and theft were about

equally likely to occur 

in the day or at night.

& For all age groups,

motor vehicle theft

occurred more often 

at night. 

Note: Household burglaries occurred at home, except in a few

victimizations involving victims’ vacation dwellings.

*Age is determined by the age of the head of the household, 

the person responding to the interviewer.

Other 10.2 8.2

Open area, public transportation 5.3 6.3

School 3.8 13.9

Commercial place, parking lot 21.7 23.4

Victim’s, friend’s, neighbor’s home 59.0 48.1

Total 100.0% 100.0%

Theft

Other 4.6 4.6

Open area, near public transportation 7.5 10.0

Parking lot or garage 26.1 32.9

Near friend’s or neighbor’s home 7.3 8.2

Near victim’s home 54.5 44.2

Total 100.0% 100.0%

Motor vehicle theft

Place of occurrence

Unknown 30.8 22.5

Night 33.4 38.3

Day 35.8 39.2

Theft 100.0% 100.0%

Unknown 14.5 11.9

Night 63.6 64.6

Day 22.0 23.4

Motor vehicle theft 100.0% 100.0%

Unknown 41.1 32.1

Night 29.5 31.6

Day 29.3 36.3

Household burglary 100.0% 100.0%

or older 12- 64*

Age 65* Ages

Percent of households

Persons age 65 or older reported that most car thefts

occurred at night but that other thefts occurred about

equally at night and during the day

Most thefts from the elderly took place in or near 

their homes
 

24 Crimes against Persons Age 65 or Older, 1992-97

Other, unknown 22.3 22.5

(used key, picked lock, other methods) 14.4 15.4

Through locked door or window 

Through unlocked door or window 36.2 35.7

Through open door 21.9 20.8

Pushed way in 0.4 1.1

Was let in 4.8 4.5

100.0% 100.0%

If not by forced entry, how did burglar enter

the residence?

Forced entry 45.6% 48.7%

Ages 

12-64

Age 65 

or older

Percent of households

Elderly and younger victims did not differ in how burglars

entered their residences, and usually entry was not forced

Cash, credit cards, motor vehicle parts, and gasoline were the items most often

stolen from households with a household head age 65 or older, 1992-97

Other 

Firearms 

Toys, sports, recreation items 

Bicycles or parts 

Motor vehicles 

Household furniture 

TVs, VCRs, stereos 

Portable electronics 

Clothing, furs, luggage 

Silver, jewelry, collectibles 

Other personal items 

Tools, machines, office supplies 

Motor vehicle parts, gasoline 

Cash, wallets, credit cards 

0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25%

Percent of all property crimes

in households with a head

age 65 or older

Unknown

 $500 or more

 $100 to $499

Less than $100

No loss

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60%

Loss from completed property crimes

Percent of property crime victims

Age 65 or older

Ages 12-64

For completed burglary,

motor vehicle theft, and

property theft, about a

third of elderly households

had losses of $500 or

more, compared to less

than half the households

with a younger head of

household.
 

Reporting crime to the police

Crimes against Persons Age 65 or Older, 1992-97 25

Property

Personal theft

Violence

0% 20% 40% 60%

Percent reporting to the police

Ages 12-64

Age 65 or older

Victims age 65 or older were more likely than

younger victims to report nonlethal violence

and personal theft to the police

*The estimate is based on 10 or fewer sample cases. 

a

Murder was nearly always reported to or discovered by police.

Theft 27.1 26.8

Motor vehicle theft 78.3 77.2

Household burglary 50.3 50.2

Property crime total 35.5% 33.7%

Personal theft 44.2% 29.4%

Simple assault 44.7 36.4

Aggravated assault 50.3 54.4

Assault total 46.2 41.0

Robbery 69.2 55.4

Rape/sexual assault 29.8* 30.4

Nonlethal violent crimea 51.6% 42.2%

Age 65 or older Ages 12-64

Percent of crimes reported 

to the police

According to victims age 65 or older, about half the

violent crimes they experienced were reported to the

police, 1992-97

& Victims age 65 or

older were more likely

than other victims to

report robbery and

simple assault to the

police.

& There were no

differences between the

elderly and those ages

12-64 in the extent to

which they reported

property crimes to the

police.
 

National Crime Victimization Survey methodology

26 Crimes against Persons Age 65 or Older, 1992-97

The National Crime Victimization

Survey measures personal and

household offenses, including crimes

not reported to police. The crimes are

rape or sexual assault, robbery,

aggravated and simple assault,

personal theft (purse snatching and

pocket picking), household burglary,

motor vehicle theft, and theft from a

house or car. Information is obtained

by interviewing all occupants age 12 

or older of housing units selected to

comprise a representative sample.

The sample also includes persons

living in group quarters, such as

dormitories, rooming houses, and

religious group dwellings. Excluded

are crew members of merchant

vessels, Armed Forces personnel

living in military barracks or temporary

housing, and institutionalized persons,

such as correctional facility inmates

and hospital or nursing home patients.

A Census Bureau representative

interviews each housing unit at

6-month intervals, spreading out the

complete sample of the household

interviews over the entire year. Every 6

months between 1992 and 1997, the

Census Bureau interviewed about

85,000 persons in about 44,000

housing units about the crimes they

had experienced in the previous 6

months. Yearly response rates ranged

from 89% to 96% of eligible

households and individuals.

Since sample survey data provide the

estimates in this report, these 

estimates are subject to sampling

variation. Comparisons presented in

this report are statistically significant at

the 95% confidence level, meaning

that the estimated difference is greater

than twice the standard error.

Statements of comparison qualified 

by language such as “slightly,”

“somewhat,” or “marginal” indicated

statistical significance at the 90% level

(1.6 standard error).

Some crimes of concern are not within

the scope of the NCVS. Abuse of the

elderly occurring in institutional

settings is not covered in NCVS, which

is a household based survey. The

NCVS does not measure fraud;

therefore, fraud targeted at the elderly,

such as telemarketing scams, are not

included.

Also, crimes that are measured by

NCVS are based on information that

victims provide in telephone or

personal interviews. Elder abuse is

probably underreported, because

some victims may be unable to report, 

afraid to discuss the abuse, or may not

regard mistreatment by relatives or

caretakers as a crime.

If relatives or caretakers were taking

personal or household property from

the victim without the victims’

knowledge, these crimes also would

not be included.

NCVS data are useful for providing a

comprehensive overview of the entire

elderly population in the United States.

Within this population, however, there

are people with particular vulnerabilities whose victimization may be

underreported or outside the scope of

the crimes measured by this survey. 
Crimes against Persons Age 65 or Older, 1992-97 27

Other types of studies targeted at 

specific groups, such as elderly people

in nursing houses, elderly victims of

fraud, and other similar studies are

needed to complement data available

through the NCVS.

Calculation of rates 

and annual levels

The rates of crime in this report are

annual average rates for the period

1992 through 1997. The numerator of

a given number is the sum of crimes

that occurred for each year from 1992

through 1997; the denominator is the

sum of the annual population of

persons or households for these year

(or the number falling within the 

particular demographic group being

measured). These numbers are

multiplied by 1000 to obtain the

average annual rates. Average annual

levels of criminal victimization are

obtained by summing the number of

victimizations each year between 1992

and 1997 and dividing by six.

The population totals used in this

report are calculated from estimates

derived from the victimization survey.

Included in the population are persons

age 12 or older living in households,

including group quarters such as

dormitories. The estimates do not

include children under 12, institutionalized persons, U.S. citizens living

abroad, crew members of merchant

vessels, and Armed Forces personnel

living in military barracks. The

percentages are calculated using the

method similar to the one used for

average annual rates.

The NCVS was redesigned in 1992 

to improve survey methods and collect

previously unreported information.

Data collected prior to 1992 are not

comparable to data collected using the

redesigned methodology. The

estimates for 1973-91 presented in the

trend figures on page 8 have been

adjusted to make them comparable to

data collected under the redesigned

methodology. The adjustment

methods are described in Criminal

Victimization 1973-95 (NCJ 163069).

Information on murder

Murder data were obtained from the

Uniform Crime Reports, prepared by

the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

The Supplemental Homicide Reports

(SHR) data file for 1992-97 was used

to obtain characteristics of murder

victims, offenders and incidents.

There may be slight differences

between these estimates and those

found in the yearly FBI publication,

Crime in the United States. These

differences occur, since data files are

updated with additional data that may

not have been available at the time of

publication of the yearly report.
 

Appendix tables

28 Crimes against Persons Age 65 or Older, 1992-97

Note: "Household head” means only that this person provided information about

household characteristics and data on burglaries, motor vehicle thefts, or property

thefts occurring within the household

Number of crimes 40,581,530 2,694,290 37,887,250

Population, age 12 or older 214,789,200 31,296,350 183,492,860

Number of households 101,518,080 21,161,850 80,356,230

Theft 22,676,220 223.4 81.9 260.6

Motor vehicle theft 1,664,550 16.4 5.9 19.2

Household burglary 5,326,780 52.5 29.5 58.5

Property crimes 29,667,550 292.2 117.3 338.3

Personal theft 402,120 1.9 1.5 1.9

 Simple assault 6,556,760 30.5 2.8 35.3

 Aggravated assault 2,284,190 10.6 1.1 12.3

 Total assault 8,840,940 41.2 3.9 47.5

 Robbery 1,209,260 5.6 1.3 6.4

 Rape/Sexual assault 441,070 2.1 0.1 2.4

Nonfatal violence 10,491,270 48.8 5.3 56.3

Murder 20,580 0.1 0.0 0.1

Crimes of violence 10,511,850 48.9 5.3 56.4

All crimes 40,581,530

Type of crime 1992-97 All older age 65

annual, 65 or Less than

Average annual rates 

Average per 1,000 persons or households

Appendix table 1. Average annual rates of violent and property victimization,

by age of victim or household head, 1992-97
Crimes against Persons Age 65 or Older, 1992-97 29

 *Violence includes murder, rape and sexual assault, robbery, and aggravated and simple assault

 **Personal theft includes purse snatching and pocket picking.

Age 65 or older 85.0 93.3 86.8 85.4 74.9 66.4

Age 50-64 204.4 208.7 196.3 171.2 167.4 150.0

Age 25-49 319.2 303.4 295.3 268.4 255.1 230.1

Age 12-24 374.0 385.6 390.0 387.5 332.0 289.2

Theft 251.6 246.3 238.5 218.4 204.8 183.2

Age 65 or older 6.6 5.7 6.5 5.0 5.2 6.5

Age 50-64 17.0 18.5 14.0 14.8 11.1 10.5

Age 25-49 22.4 24.2 21.9 19.4 16.7 16.0

Age 12-24 29.9 30.7 28.6 31.1 18.0 23.7

Motor vehicle theft 18.6 19.7 17.6 16.2 13.3 13.3

Age 65 or older 35.1 34.4 33.1 26.3 25.6 22.8

Age 50-64 52.6 51.8 44.2 39.3 43.4 35.8

Age 25-49 67.5 66.6 61.2 54.2 54.3 49.8

Age 12-24 88.6 123.0 109.0 94.8 86.6 96.0

Household burglary 59.3 60.7 55.1 48.0 48.2 44.2

Age 65 or older 126.7 133.4 126.4 116.7 105.7 95.7

Age 50-64 273.9 279.0 254.5 225.3 222.0 196.4

Age 25-49 409.1 394.2 378.4 342.0 326.0 295.8

Age 12-24 492.5 539.3 527.6 513.5 436.6 409.0

Property crime 329.4 326.7 311.2 282.6 266.2 240.8

Age 65 or older 1.6 2.2 2.1 1.0 1.0 1.0

Age 50-64 1.6 1.2 1.7 1.6 1.0 1.4

Age 25-49 1.1 2.1 2.0 1.6 1.2 1.2

Age 12-24 3.3 4.1 3.3 2.5 3.1 2.4

Personal theft** 1.8 2.4 2.3 1.7 1.6 1.5

Age 65 or older 5.3 6.0 5.3 6.0 4.8 4.5

Age 50-64 14.5 18.4 16.3 15.2 16.1 16.5

Age 25-49 50.5 53.5 52.1 45.6 43.3 38.5

Age 12-24 112.4 115.8 117.7 102.1 91.3 88.8

Total violence* 52.4 55.1 54.3 47.5 43.9 41.0

and age of victim 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997

Type of crime Rates per 1,000 persons or households

Appendix 2. Rates per 1,000 persons or households, 

by type of crime and age of victim, 1992-97
30 Crimes against Persons Age 65 or Older, 1992-97

*The estimate is based on about 10 or fewer sample cases.

$50,000 or more 41.0 5.8 43.0 93.9 33.5 16.6

$35,000 to $49,999 46.2 6.9 49.5 97.6 41.3 15.1

$25,000 to $34,999 48.6 4.4 54.7 100.4 48.3 11.7

$15,000 to $24,999 51.7 4.1 63.6 109.2 55.2 16.7

Less than $15,000 67.3 6.1 88.8 125.7 81.8 24.1

Household income

Divorced/separated 76.2 14.4 82.8 238.1 93.9 32.3

Widowed 9.4 4.4 25.0 165.6 42.0 17.0

Married 23.9 4.4 27.5 64.0 30.8 12.1

Never married 90.6 7.5 92.3 106.9 67.1 25.3

Marital status

Female 40.5 4.0 47.7 86.2 42.1 12.6

Male 57.8 7.1 65.0 122.3 52.2 20.0

Gender

Non-Hispanic 48.1 5.0 56.0 105.6 47.6 16.0

Hispanic 54.3 10.6 57.5 95.1 40.9 18.7

Ethnicity

Other 41.9 7.1* 44.7 70.5 39.8 10.1

Black 59.5 9.8 65.0 107.8 53.7 15.9

White 47.6 4.8 55.5 105.7 46.5 16.4

Race

Nonfatal violence 48.8 5.3 56.3 104.4 47.1 16.1

victim of violence All older Total 12-24 25-49 50-64

Characteristic of 65 or Less than age 65

Average annual rates of nonlethal violence per 1,000 persons 

Appendix table 3. Demographic characteristics of victims of nonlethal violence,

by age of victim, 1992-97
Crimes against Persons Age 65 or Older, 1992-97 31

$50,000 or more 329.9 178.6 341.5 433.5 363.0 286.3

$35,000 to $49,999 313.0 145.7 332.7 453.2 351.3 262.5

$25,000 to $34,999 303.4 147.1 333.0 452.3 357.6 223.2

$15,000 to $24,999 287.4 116.6 347.4 490.4 364.8 228.6

Less than $15,000 287.1 103.0 388.2 508.3 404.3 227.1

Household income

Divorced/separated 349.5 166.1 372.1 558.1 411.2 259.4

Widowed 139.5 102.1 259.5 327.6 381.1 214.8

Married 291.7 124.4 326.6 419.4 354.8 245.9

Never married 342.7 90.6 357.3 508.1 312.5 174.2

Marital status

Non-Hispanic 285.0 114.7 332.0 488.3 351.5 234.7

Hispanic 382.6 168.2 408.5 478.5 414.1 338.7

Ethnicity

Female 289.1 107.9 353.6 471.7 378.1 231.3

Male 294.2 125.8 329.9 501.4 345.9 245.3

Gender

Other 301.9 161.1 316.5 394.9 316.1 275.4

Black 336.6 184.2 363.3 478.8 375.1 273.4

White 285.6 110.2 335.4 493.6 355.9 235.3

Race

Property crime 292.2 117.3 338.3 486.9 357.0 240.6

household head All older Total 12-24 25-49 50-64

Characteristic of 65 or Less than age 65

Average annual rates of property crime 

per 1,000 households, by age of household head

Appendix table 4. Demographic characteristics for victims of property crime, 

by age of household head, 1992-97
32 Crimes against Persons Age 65 or Older, 1992-97

Note: Does not include missing data.

a

Data for victims under age 12 available for murder only.

b

Type of weapon used by offender against victim.

Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation, Uniform Crime Reports, Supplemental 

Homicide Reports.

Unknown 4.8 9.1 3.9 13.3 2.8 4.4 6.2

Other 8.9 19.2 5.9 59.3 3.2 7.0 10.6

Blunt object 4.5 13.4 3.9 6.1 1.8 4.6 9.1

Knife 13.2 22.3 13.2 4.3 8.8 15.4 18.3

Firearm 68.6% 36.1% 73.0% 17.0% 83.3% 68.7% 55.7%

Weaponb

Other 2.5 1.7 2.5 3.6 2.4 2.5 3.1

Black 49.6 29.9 51.1 41.5 58.3 48.8 33.3

White 47.1% 68.0% 45.8% 53.9% 38.8% 48.0% 62.7%

Race

Female 22.4 43.9 20.2 45.1 15.0 23.1 25.0

Male 77.4% 56.1% 79.7% 54.7% 85.0% 76.9% 75.0%

Gender

Total 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%

Under 12 12-24 25-49 50-64 a All older Total

65 or Less than age 65

Percent of murder victims

Appendix table 5. Characteristics of murder, by age of victim, 1992-97
Crimes against Persons Age 65 or Older, 1992-97 33

*Estimate based on 10 or fewer cases.

a

Percentages for weapon type are based on victimizations that involved 

weapon use by the offender.

Treated elsewhere 0.4 0.6* 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.1*

Treated at hospital 4.7 5.6 4.6 4.3 5.0 4.0

Treated at doctor’s office 1.5 2.1* 1.5 1.6 1.4 1.2

Treated at scene 4.5 2.9 4.5 4.6 4.5 3.5

Injured, not treated 14.4 10.9 14.5 17.4 12.1 8.6

Injured 25.4 22.1 25.5 28.3 23.5 17.5

Not injured 74.6 77.9 74.5 71.7 76.5 82.5

Outcomes 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%

Severity unknown 0.5 0* 0.5 0.3 0.8 .4*

4.5 1.9* 4.5 4.3 5.1 1.1*

Rape or sexual assault

without other injury

Minor 81.8 85.2 81.8 83.9 79.5 77.0

Serious 13.2 12.9 13.2 11.5 14.6 21.5

Type of injury 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%

Not injured 74.6 77.9 74.5 71.7 76.5 82.5

Injured 25.4 22.1 25.5 28.3 23.5 17.5

Injury 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%

Did not resist or unknown 28.6 50.6 28.3 28.9 27.3 31.4

Resisted 71.4 49.4 71.7 71.1 72.7 68.6

Self protection 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%

Unknown type 3.8 4.4* 3.8 3.8 3.5 6.6

Other 32.9 36.7 32.8 32.6 32.9 33.3

Knife 24.8 17.1 24.9 26.6 23.7 20.8

Firearm 38.5 41.9 38.5 36.9 40.0 39.3

Total 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%

Type of weapona

Unknown 8.0 16.1 7.9 6.6 8.7 11.9

No 65.2 51.0 65.5 67.1 64.2 61.4

Yes 26.8 32.9 26.7 26.3 27.0 26.7

Weapon was used 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%

All older Total 12-24 25-49 50-64

65 or Less than age 65

Percent of victims

Appendix table 6. Nonlethal violence characteristics, by age of victim, 1992-97
34 Crimes against Persons Age 65 or Older, 1992-97

Note: Murder data are from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Uniform Crime Reports.

Nonlethal violence data are from the National Crime Victimization Survey.

Unknown relationship 3.4 7.4 3.3 3.4 3.0 5.5

Stranger 48.5 56.2 48.4 45.1 51.0 55.3

Causal acquaintance 17.9 14.5 18.0 22.4 13.8 13.0

Well known 15.3 12.9 15.3 17.3 13.4 14.3

Boyfriend/girlfriend 5.6 0.4 5.7 6.3 5.6 0.9

Relatives 9.3 8.7 9.3 5.5 13.2 10.9

All related or well known 30.2 21.9 30.3 29.0 32.2 26.2

Total 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%

Nonlethal violence victims

Unknown relationship 39.1 35.3 39.9 41.4 39.5 35.6

Other known 31.3 23.7 32.3 36.6 30.3 26.4

Relative, intimate 15.7 26.4 13.5 7.3 16.3 22.2

Nonstranger total 47.0 50.1 45.8 43.9 46.6 48.5

Stranger 13.8 14.6 14.3 14.7 13.8 15.8

Total 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%

Murder victims

Victim-offender relationship All older Total 12-24 25-49 50-64

65 or Less than age 65

Percent of victims

Appendix table 7. Relationship of victim and offender for murder and 

nonlethal violence, by age of victim, 1992-97
Crimes against Persons Age 65 or Older, 1992-97 35

*Includes multiple offenders from at least 2 age categories.

Unknown age 5.0 10.9 4.9 4.5 5.0 7.1

Mixed ages* 10.8 6.7 10.9 13.4 8.4 9.6

Age 30 or older 29.5 44.6 29.3 11.9 45.7 46.4

Age 21 through 29 23.9 19.6 24.0 21.2 27.2 20.9

Under 21 30.8 18.2 31.0 49.1 13.7 15.9

Total 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%

Age of offenders

Mixed or unknown race 7.2 13.0 7.2 7.7 5.9 13.1

Other 8.8 7.7 8.8 10.6 7.9 0.6

Black 26.3 31.8 26.2 24.2 28.1 28.8

White 57.7 48.5 57.8 57.5 58.1 57.9

Race of offenders 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%

Unknown gender 2.5 6.3 2.4 2.3 2.4 3.9

Some offenders of each gender 3.1 4.2 3.0 3.0 2.9 4.1

Female 14.3 13.2 14.4 16.0 12.8 12.1

Male 80.1 76.3 80.2 78.6 81.8 79.8

Gender of offenders 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%

All older Total 12-24 25-49 50-64

65 or Less than age 65

Percent of victims

Appendix table 8. Perceived characteristics of offenders, 

by age of nonlethal violence victims, 1992-97
36 Crimes against Persons Age 65 or Older, 1992-97

Unknown time 23.1 30.8 22.5 20.5 21.9 25.9

Nighttime 38.0 33.4 38.3 49.4 37.1 36.1

Daytime 38.9 35.8 39.2 30.0 40.9 38.0

Property theft 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%

Unknown time 12.1 14.5 11.9 11.0 11.7 13.4

Nighttime 64.5 63.6 64.6 72.5 63.2 64.9

Daytime 23.3 22.0 23.4 16.5 25.1 21.7

Motor vehicle theft 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%

Unknown time 33.1 41.1 32.1 30.7 30.9 37.3

Nighttime 31.3 29.5 31.6 38.5 31.2 28.0

Daytime 35.5 29.3 36.3 30.8 38.0 34.7

Household burglary 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%

Unknown time 1.3 1.1 1.3 1.2 1.3 1.9

Nighttime 47.1 28.6 47.4 46.6 49.6 36.1

Daytime 51.6 70.3 51.3 52.2 49.1 62.0

Nonlethal crimes of violence 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%

All older Total 12-24 25-49 50-64

65 or Less than age 65

Percent of victims

Appendix table 9. Time of occurrence of violent and property crimes, 

by age of victim or household head, 1992-97
Crimes against Persons Age 65 or Older, 1992-97 37

Note: Household burglaries occurred at home, except in a 

few victimizations involving the victims’ vacation dwellings.

Other 8.4 10.2 8.2 5.8 8.2 9.9

Open area, public transportation 6.2 5.3 6.3 7.1 6.1 6.6

School 13.1 3.8 13.9 8.4 15.5 11.1

Commercial place, parking lot 23.3 21.7 23.4 28.4 22.6 23.7

Victim’s, friend’s, neighbor’s home 49.0 59.0 48.1 50.3 47.7 48.7

Property theft 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%

Other 4.6 4.6 4.6 3.7 4.6 5.4

Near friend’s or neighbor’s home 8.2 7.3 8.2 12.6 8.0 6.5

Open area/public transportation 9.8 7.5 10.0 9.3 9.5 12.3

Parking lot or garage 32.4 26.1 32.9 35.8 33.0 31.2

Near victim’s home 45.0 54.5 44.2 38.6 45.0 44.7

Motor vehicle theft 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%

Other 22.3 13.4 22.4 29.1 15.7 19.7

In/near friend’s/neighbor’s home 9.4 5.9 9.5 12.3 7.1 3.7

Commercial place/parking lot 20.6 16.4 20.7 16.8 24.4 24.9

Open area/public transportation 21.7 21.0 21.7 22.1 21.2 21.8

In or near victim’s home 26.0 43.2 25.7 19.7 31.6 29.9

Nonlethal violence 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%

All older Total 12-24 25-49 50-64

65 or Less than age 65

Percent of victims

Appendix table 10. Place of occurrence of violent and property crimes, 

by age of victim or household head, 1992-97
38 Crimes against Persons Age 65 or Older, 1992-97

a

Murder was almost always reported to or discovered by the police.

Theft 26.8 27.1 26.8 27.3 26.3 28.3

Motor vehicle theft 77.3 78.3 77.2 73.3 77.2 79.6

Household burglary 50.2 50.3 50.2 41.7 51.7 51.1

Property crime 33.8% 35.5% 33.7% 32.8% 33.3% 35.5%

Personal theft 31.1% 44.2% 29.4% 16.2% 37.3% 44.2%

Simple assault 36.5 44.7 36.4 28.5 44.2 39.7

Aggravated assault 54.3 50.3 54.4 47.1 61.9 56.2

Assault total 41.1 46.2 41.0 33.4 48.8 44.0

Robbery 55.9 69.2 55.4 46.2 63.0 64.8

Rape/Sexual assault 30.4 29.8 30.4 33.8 26.3 29.2

Nonlethal violent crime* 42.3% 51.6% 42.2% 34.8% 49.5% 46.6%

Percent reporting crimes 

to police:

All older Total 12-24 25-49 50-64

65 or Less than age 65

Percent of victims reporting

Appendix table 11. Reporting of crimes to the police, 

by age of victim or household head, 1992-97