Abstract
M.A. (Social Work)
In recent years the increasing number of assaults, murder and
other forms of victimization of the elderly in South Africa
have become a topic widely reported by the mass media and
frequently discussed in communities. The threatening of the
personal safety of an aged person is a matter of great
concern with possible repercussions on the lifestyle of the
individual concerned. In this regard Harris & Cole
(1980:383) accurately state "The fear of crime greatly
diminishes the quality of life for large number of older
people and restricts their mobility. Much of this fear may
came from the fact that older people are acutely aware of
their vulnerability to victimization."
The aims of this study are:
to determine how the aged, living in Benoni,
experience their personal safety;
to determine how the experience of their personal
safety influences the daily activities of the aged;
to determine factors in personal safety of which the aged
should be informed...