Quick fact: Seniors have the lowest rates of police-reported violence

In 2007, seniors represented 2% of all victims of violent crime reported to police and were less likely than younger people to be the victim of a violent crime. As was the case in previous years, the rate of violent victimization for seniors was 15 times lower than the rate for 15 to 24 year-olds, the age group at highest risk of victimization. Violent offences against seniors by a family member represented more than one-third of all violent incidents committed against older adults.

Chart 1
Seniors have the lowest rates of police-reported violence in 2007

Note: Excludes unknown sex; includes all relationships between accused and victims.Data are not nationally representative. The Incident-based Uniform Crime Reporting Survey collected data from 153 police services representing approximately 94% of the population of Canada in 2007. Hamilton Police Service is excluded from the analysis due to data quality of the relationship variable.
Source: Statistics Canada, Canadian Centre for Justice Statistics, Incident-based Uniform Crime Reporting Survey.

To learn more about the violent victimization of seniors and family-related violence against seniors, please read Family Violence in Canada: A Statistical Profile 2009.