Unit 1 AC1.2 Reasons crimes are unreported Flashcards
Personal Reasons for Unreported Crime
FEAR
Fear of potential consequences from the criminal, for themselves or their family can be a reason for unreported crime.
Personal Reasons for Unreported Crime
DISINTEREST
People do not always care about what has happened or feel upset about the crime that has been committed. For example, someone could walk past a homeless person who is drinking and high on drugs but not report it due to disinterest.
Personal Reasons for Unreported Crime
SHAME
Shame or embarrassment, especially if it involves a sexual act such as rape, can prevent someone from reporting a crime, This could be because the person might not want other people to know they were vulnerable and unable to defend or protect themselves.
Personal Reasons for Unreported Crime
NOT AFFECTED
If an incident does not concern a person, people may feel as though it has nothing to do with them and that they should leave it to someone else to report. For example, criminal damage or vandalism may not concern people if it is not their property.
Social and Cultural Reasons for Unreported Crime
LACK OF KNOWLEDGE
Lack of knowledge could be the reason why people do not report a crime. They may be unaware that it is a crime or do not have the knowledge of the procedures involved.
Social and Cultural Reasons for Unreported Crime
LACK OF MEDIA INTEREST
Some crimes are not widely promoted by the media as they believe there will be little public interest. For example, a murder will take precedence to being reported in preference to many moral crimes such as underage drinking.
Social and Cultural Reasons for Unreported Crime
COMPLEXITY
The general public might not understand that a crime has been committed as it is too difficult to understand or follow. For example, white-collar crime is a complex crime where fraudulent transactions are hidden or carried out in private.
Social and Cultural Reasons for Unreported Crime
CULTURE-BOUND CRIME
Culture-bound crime can be acceptable in certain sections of society. For example, honour killings are accepted in some cultures and religions as they follow a certain tradition within family life. People who see different cultures as something mystifying may ignore this type of crime and not report it as they do not wish to interfere.
Social and Cultural Reasons for Unreported Crime
LACK OF CURRENT PUBLIC CONCERN
Lack of current public concern may occur if an offence is not considered an actual crime. Downloading illegal music, for example, is something that many people will do so they can listen to it free of charge. There is no real concern about it being an illegal act. Likewise, smoking of cannabis fails to attract the interest of many people and they may be reluctant to report it to the police on the basis that the offender should be allowed to smoke it if they so desire.
Examples of why different crimes are not reported
Common Assault
Common assault involves a very low level of physical contact with very little injury. It can be committed without any touching if a person apprehends violence. For example, shouting ‘I am going to get you!’, but not doing anything may result in an assault. In such a situation someone may feel it is not worth reporting it to the police or may feel that the police may not take him seriously.
Examples of why different crimes are not reported
Domestic Abuse
Domestic abuse may not be reported, as the victim often cares about the offender due to their relationship. Alternatively, fear about future abuse may be the issue, or not having somewhere else to live for the victim and any children of the family may force someone to just put up with it. Male victims of abuse may be particularly embarrassed about reporting it.
Examples of why different crimes are not reported
Vandalism
Officially known as criminal damage, vandalism may be considered someone else’s problem and, unless the damage is against their property, many people would simply ignore it. People may feel as though it is not worth reporting graffiti to the police.
Examples of why different crimes are not reported
Rape
Rape may not be reported due to embarrassment or shame. As a result of the intimate nature of this crime, many people may not want to re-live the experience by talking about it to the police. Men, in particular, may feel that they should have prevented such action from taking place and pride could prevent them from reporting it.
Examples of why different crimes are not reported
Victimless crimes
Perceived victimless crimes, for example: White-collar crimes, may not be reported as people may be unaware that they are happening; people may be unaware that something is illegal, for example ‘sleeping-rough’ or vagrancy. In assisted suicide the victim usually desires the action to take place and is often a crime carried out due to passion or love rather than financial gain or revenge.
