Older women's fear of crime: contributing factors and effects

Abstract

This exploratory qualitative study seeks to identify the extent to which women over the age of 65 are fearful or concerned about crime. The women's level of personal vulnerability is also examined. It is argued that the range of precautionary behaviours employed by women of this age are very costly in terms of restricting their lifestyles. Factors which contribute to this behaviour and the extent to which these precautionary behaviours occur form the basis of this study. To explore these issues seven focus group discussions and 11 individual interviews were conducted over a period of several months. The sample consisted of 73 reasonably active older women who lived in Wellington and the Hutt Valley. Rural women and those who were socially isolated were not included in this sample. Further studies are required to determine the extent to which these women are concerned about crime or anxious about their personal vulnerability. A number of issues were discussed with the women. These include crime levels and the types of crimes which the women believe are responsible for current levels of offending. As I was also interested in pursuing the extent to which older women engaged in precautionary behaviours I discussed four particular circumstances and asked them to comment on how vulnerable they felt at home during the day, out during the day, at home after dark and out after dark. Information was also sought on the level of precautionary behaviour that they employed at this time and what crimes these women are particularly afraid of. The television programme 'Crimewatch', as well as television crime and news programmes, were also discussed as I was interested in determining the extent to which these programmes influenced the way these women perceived their levels of personal vulnerability. The extent to which other factors, apart from their fears and concerns about crime, affected their levels of activity is also examined. Information about what these women think about self defence classes, how they felt their levels of concern compare with others in this age group, as well as how they perceive the police and other agencies, were also topics discussed during the conversations. A major finding which emerges from this study is that the majority of the sample were very concerned about crime and most believe that they could easily become a victim. A wide range of precautionary behaviours were employed by the women as a way of reducing the likelihood of them becoming a victim. Women who live alone and who do not have private transport feel particularly vulnerable after dark and some of these practised a high level of precautionary behaviour. Implications for further research and for policy makers and programme planners are discussed. These include identifying reasons why older women appear to be reluctant to attend self defence courses, the role of the media on older women's fears and concerns about crime, the effect of fear of crime on the health of older women, and ensuring that programmes run for older women empower them rather than increase their existing fears about being a victim of crime.