A.C. 1.3 Write Up Explain the consequences of unreported crime
The ripple effect
The ripple effect is when a crime is not reported, there is an “knock-on” effect which impacts
other people rather than the initial victim. Offenders may commit the crime again as they feel
they have gotten away with offence, and gives them confidence to recommit. This is a
negative consequence. An example of this is if someone is a victim of a hate crime, not only
does it affect the victim but also his friends and family, and other potential victims with
protected characteristics that the offender may commit against as well.
Cultural Consequences
Cultural consequences are negative consequences. It means that countries have different
practices and a crime in one country may be legal in another place. For example, in the UK,
holding hands and kissing in public is allowed, while in Dubai it is not. Also crimes such as
FGM and forced marriage may be legal in other countries, but is against the law in the UK.
Decriminalisation
Decriminalisation, which is a positive consequence, is when the offence is lesser than a
criminal act but not legalised. The act is treated as a misdemeanor and police do not target it
but is still technically a crime. An example of this is the decriminalisation of homosexuality in
1967. 2 men could be in a relationship if over the age of 21 and must be in private.
Legal Change
Legal change, which again is a positive consequence, is the law allowing an act to happen,
meaning people can not be persecuted for it. The law has no legislation on the act at all. An
example of this is the legalisation of drugs in Portugal, which lowered the risk of HIV disease
transmissions by sharing dirty needles, and high percentage decrease in overdose and
deaths. It can also help people get the support they need if they are a drug addict, treating it
as a health issue rather than a criminal one.
Police Prioritisation
Police prioritisation is when the police investigate other crimes before others, as they have
government cost, not being able to investigate all the crimes recorded, and have a particular
concentration on certain crimes. This is a negative consequence. An exmaple of this is
Operation Yewtree,which was set up after a documentary about sexual abuse about Jimmy
Savile in 2012. It is where the police priotorised sexual abuse cases as more women were
speaking out about the crime, especially after the large media coverage. This is negative
because crimes that do not get news coverage may be less reported as people are not
aware of the crime.
Unrecorded Crime
The ripple effect
The ripple effect is when a crime is not reported, there is an “knock-on” effect which impacts
other people rather than the initial victim. Offenders may commit the crime again as they feel
they have gotten away with offence, and gives them confidence to recommit. This is a
negative consequence. An example of this is if someone is a victim of a hate crime, not only
does it affect the victim but also his friends and family, and other potential victims with
protected characteristics that the offender may commit against as well.
Cultural Consequences
Cultural consequences are negative consequences. It means that countries have different
practices and a crime in one country may be legal in another place. For example, in the UK,
holding hands and kissing in public is allowed, while in Dubai it is not. Also crimes such as
FGM and forced marriage may be legal in other countries, but is against the law in the UK.
Decriminalisation
Decriminalisation, which is a positive consequence, is when the offence is lesser than a
criminal act but not legalised. The act is treated as a misdemeanor and police do not target it
but is still technically a crime. An example of this is the decriminalisation of homosexuality in
1967. 2 men could be in a relationship if over the age of 21 and must be in private.
Legal Change
Legal change, which again is a positive consequence, is the law allowing an act to happen,
meaning people can not be persecuted for it. The law has no legislation on the act at all. An
example of this is the legalisation of drugs in Portugal, which lowered the risk of HIV disease
transmissions by sharing dirty needles, and high percentage decrease in overdose and
deaths. It can also help people get the support they need if they are a drug addict, treating it
as a health issue rather than a criminal one.
Police Prioritisation
Police prioritisation is when the police investigate other crimes before others, as they have
government cost, not being able to investigate all the crimes recorded, and have a particular
concentration on certain crimes. This is a negative consequence. An exmaple of this is
Operation Yewtree,which was set up after a documentary about sexual abuse about Jimmy
Savile in 2012. It is where the police priotorised sexual abuse cases as more women were
speaking out about the crime, especially after the large media coverage. This is negative
because crimes that do not get news coverage may be less reported as people are not
aware of the crime.
Unrecorded Crime
