Exploring and Overcoming Barriers to Justice for Older Victims of Crime

With a growing ageing population, researchers and policymakers are taking an increasing interest in how older people experience the criminal justice system. A recent study from Northern Ireland has found that older people are less likely to obtain justice than other adults when they report being a victim of crime. This article explores the findings of the Northern Ireland study. It examines the evidence for the existence of unequal access to justice for older people. It identifies the barriers that older victims face that contribute to this inequality. It sets out four recommendations for reforming the system to help improve matters. The findings of the Northern Ireland study and the recommendations made have relevance for other common law jurisdictions.