AC1.2 - Reasons why certain crimes go unreported
DARK FIGURE OF CRIME
Crimes that have not been reported or recorded to police is known as the “dark
figure of crime”
Examples – Honour crime, Domestic abuse, Moral crimes, White collar crimes etc
PERSONAL CRIMES
Reasons that relate to the individual and their close family or friends
FEAR
Sometimes people don’t report crimes because the victims of the witnesses of
crimes are scared that they will receive reprisals or punishments from the offenders
of the crime if they end up finding out that they have filed a complaint. Sometimes,
victims and witnesses can even fear that their close family or friends will have to get
involved if they also find out they have made a complaint.
To help victims feel safe when reporting crimes, the government and police forces as
well as charities have introduced more confidential ways that individuals can report
crimes such as through phone lines and websites which help people to stay
anonymous when reporting crimes.
SHAME
In some cases, victims will not report crimes because they feel that being a victim of
the crime is embarrassing and shameful for them.
The don’t want to interact with others in fear of being judged or looked down upon
by others.
Because of this they often keep to themselves and don’t report the crimes which in
the long run can lead to complex distress and can contribute to the lack of
awareness or prosecution of some crimes.
DISINTEREST
Some crimes aren’t reported because it does not concern an individual and therefor
leads to them not having a reason to report the crimes as they’re uninterested in
what is happening.
Eg, someone might not report a group of underaged people smoking because they
are uninterested in what is going on, the crime doesn’t concern them.
UNAFFECTED BY CRIME
Some individuals with acknowledge that a crime is taking place but simply won't
report it because the crime is not personally affecting them and therefore they don’t
see a reason to get involved.
Eg, someone may witness vandalism taking place on a building that they are walking
by, the person may not report the crime because the building that is being
DARK FIGURE OF CRIME
Crimes that have not been reported or recorded to police is known as the “dark
figure of crime”
Examples – Honour crime, Domestic abuse, Moral crimes, White collar crimes etc
PERSONAL CRIMES
Reasons that relate to the individual and their close family or friends
FEAR
Sometimes people don’t report crimes because the victims of the witnesses of
crimes are scared that they will receive reprisals or punishments from the offenders
of the crime if they end up finding out that they have filed a complaint. Sometimes,
victims and witnesses can even fear that their close family or friends will have to get
involved if they also find out they have made a complaint.
To help victims feel safe when reporting crimes, the government and police forces as
well as charities have introduced more confidential ways that individuals can report
crimes such as through phone lines and websites which help people to stay
anonymous when reporting crimes.
SHAME
In some cases, victims will not report crimes because they feel that being a victim of
the crime is embarrassing and shameful for them.
The don’t want to interact with others in fear of being judged or looked down upon
by others.
Because of this they often keep to themselves and don’t report the crimes which in
the long run can lead to complex distress and can contribute to the lack of
awareness or prosecution of some crimes.
DISINTEREST
Some crimes aren’t reported because it does not concern an individual and therefor
leads to them not having a reason to report the crimes as they’re uninterested in
what is happening.
Eg, someone might not report a group of underaged people smoking because they
are uninterested in what is going on, the crime doesn’t concern them.
UNAFFECTED BY CRIME
Some individuals with acknowledge that a crime is taking place but simply won't
report it because the crime is not personally affecting them and therefore they don’t
see a reason to get involved.
Eg, someone may witness vandalism taking place on a building that they are walking
by, the person may not report the crime because the building that is being
