Reasons why people may not report certain crimes. Criminology Unit 1 AC 1.2
Personal reasons : May be too time consuming or stressful to go to the police station, some
may feel that the police are overstretched and don't want to bother them. People may also know
someone who's committed a crime but have a very close relationship with the offender and
doesn't want to come between either of them. For instance, in honour crime other family
members are aware of these crimes committed, but don't report because it is their own family
who are committing these crimes. Another case may be something like domestic violence,
where they are aware of the abuse taking place but do not feel as if it's their place to report it.
Fear : Some homeless victims of assault feared retaliation and not being taken seriously by the
police department, they may feel like the police don't care about them. The same idea of
retaliation links with domestic abuse and honour crimes. Some victims of domestic abuse feel
that their abuser will come back and threaten their life even after the abuse has been reported.
Both female and male victims of domestic violence may also feel as if they won't be believed so
will choose not to report. Aswell, the majority of the victims of honour crimes will fear for their life
if ever chosen to report the crime.
Shame : Victims fear not being taken seriously or are ashamed to admit they have been victims
of some type of crime. Shame is most commonly seen in male sexual assault victims as they
are told they should have enjoyed the encounter rather than supporting them. They may feel
weak if they ever choose to report the crime. They may feel embarrassed that such a thing
could happen to anyone, especially a male as they are the more ‘dominant’ figures/gender.
Disinterest : Victims of assault in nursing homes are not being properly taken care of therefore
assault is largely unreported and goes unnoticed by the government and the media. These
incidents are often seen as minor and not being thoroughly investigated. Nurses are not
obligated to report assault therefore it simply disappears. Also male rape victims may feel as if
the police are not interested in their case so don’t bother reporting.
Not affected : The public may have witnessed a crime, maybe a fight or vandalism on someone
else's property but because it doesn't concern them they don't report it and the behavior is “seen
as normal”, and may not even see this such behavior as a crime. The public may witness some
sort of hate crime towards another individual but as you yourself are not a victim you may
choose to not report it.
Social and cultural : Honour crimes are seen as acceptable in some cultures and encourage the
behavior so do not report the crimes. The Rotherham sex scandal was based within the Asain
community which consisted of many young females being sexually assaulted but nothing was
reported till later on. There cultural beliefs may be a part to play in why this was the case. As in
some cultures ‘virginity’ is sacrosanct so rape/assault is not reported, as to be able to marry you
must be a virgin. Another crime is assisted suicide, as some cultures will see this as ethical and
won’t report it as they won’t see it as an issue.
Personal reasons : May be too time consuming or stressful to go to the police station, some
may feel that the police are overstretched and don't want to bother them. People may also know
someone who's committed a crime but have a very close relationship with the offender and
doesn't want to come between either of them. For instance, in honour crime other family
members are aware of these crimes committed, but don't report because it is their own family
who are committing these crimes. Another case may be something like domestic violence,
where they are aware of the abuse taking place but do not feel as if it's their place to report it.
Fear : Some homeless victims of assault feared retaliation and not being taken seriously by the
police department, they may feel like the police don't care about them. The same idea of
retaliation links with domestic abuse and honour crimes. Some victims of domestic abuse feel
that their abuser will come back and threaten their life even after the abuse has been reported.
Both female and male victims of domestic violence may also feel as if they won't be believed so
will choose not to report. Aswell, the majority of the victims of honour crimes will fear for their life
if ever chosen to report the crime.
Shame : Victims fear not being taken seriously or are ashamed to admit they have been victims
of some type of crime. Shame is most commonly seen in male sexual assault victims as they
are told they should have enjoyed the encounter rather than supporting them. They may feel
weak if they ever choose to report the crime. They may feel embarrassed that such a thing
could happen to anyone, especially a male as they are the more ‘dominant’ figures/gender.
Disinterest : Victims of assault in nursing homes are not being properly taken care of therefore
assault is largely unreported and goes unnoticed by the government and the media. These
incidents are often seen as minor and not being thoroughly investigated. Nurses are not
obligated to report assault therefore it simply disappears. Also male rape victims may feel as if
the police are not interested in their case so don’t bother reporting.
Not affected : The public may have witnessed a crime, maybe a fight or vandalism on someone
else's property but because it doesn't concern them they don't report it and the behavior is “seen
as normal”, and may not even see this such behavior as a crime. The public may witness some
sort of hate crime towards another individual but as you yourself are not a victim you may
choose to not report it.
Social and cultural : Honour crimes are seen as acceptable in some cultures and encourage the
behavior so do not report the crimes. The Rotherham sex scandal was based within the Asain
community which consisted of many young females being sexually assaulted but nothing was
reported till later on. There cultural beliefs may be a part to play in why this was the case. As in
some cultures ‘virginity’ is sacrosanct so rape/assault is not reported, as to be able to marry you
must be a virgin. Another crime is assisted suicide, as some cultures will see this as ethical and
won’t report it as they won’t see it as an issue.
