Age Concern New Zealand media release
15 May 2007

‘Overcome fear of crime’ says Age Concern

“Seniors have more to fear from fear itself,” says Age Concern New Zealand, paraphrasing the famous quote by US president Roosevelt.

A new survey shows that older people are the safest group in our community.

The Ministry of Justice New Zealand Crime & Safety Survey 2006 has found that people aged 60-plus are the least likely to experience crime.

“Popular perceptions of ‘endangered oldies’ don’t reflect the truth,” Age Concern New Zealand spokesperson Alistair Stewart says.

Age Concern believes sensationalist news reporting is contributing to an unbalanced view of the risk.
“Some of our older people have been affected by horrible crimes recently and the news media gave them extensive publicity. We sympathise with the victims, and society’s concern is welcome, but their experiences are the exception, not the rule.”

Age Concern acknowledges the senior group could be safest because they stay out of harm’s way.

“Healthy caution is good, but unfortunately it turns to fear for some older people. Some seniors become socially isolated by the fear of crime,” Alistair Stewart says.

Age Concern New Zealand warns that over-emphasis on senior victims also takes support away from other crime victims. The survey shows that young people, the poor, and some ethnic groups are most targeted by criminals. A small proportion of society is repeatedly victimised.

“Let’s care for the older people in our communities, but don’t disempower them with fears of crime,” says Age Concern

ENDS

The Ministry of Justice’s Key Findings report can be viewed at http://www.justice.govt.nz/pubs/reports/2007/crime-safety-survey-2006/key-findings/index.html.

www.ageconcern.org.nz

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