AC 1.2 Unreported crime Unit 1 Changing awareness of crime
Reasons for not reporting crime – Personal
Fear
Fear of potential consequences from the criminal, for themselves or their
family, can be a reason for unreported crime. Examples of unreported crimes
include:
Domestic abuse
Honor crimes
Hate crimes
Shame
Shame or even 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 others to know they were vulnerable and unable to
defend or protect themselves.
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 do not report it
because they are disinterested.
Not affected
If an incident does not concern a person, people may feel it has nothing to do
with them and that they should leave it to someone else to report. For
example, criminal damage/vandalism may not concern people if it is not their
property. Another example would be vagrancy. Homeless people can be
ignored by members of society as it does not really affect them.
Reasons for unreported crime – Social and cultural
Lack of knowledge
Lack of knowledge could be the reason why people do not report a crime. They
may be unaware it is a crime or do not have knowledge of the procedures
involved. For example, cyber-bullying via social networking and having to block
people who might abuse you.
Reasons for not reporting crime – Personal
Fear
Fear of potential consequences from the criminal, for themselves or their
family, can be a reason for unreported crime. Examples of unreported crimes
include:
Domestic abuse
Honor crimes
Hate crimes
Shame
Shame or even 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 others to know they were vulnerable and unable to
defend or protect themselves.
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 do not report it
because they are disinterested.
Not affected
If an incident does not concern a person, people may feel it has nothing to do
with them and that they should leave it to someone else to report. For
example, criminal damage/vandalism may not concern people if it is not their
property. Another example would be vagrancy. Homeless people can be
ignored by members of society as it does not really affect them.
Reasons for unreported crime – Social and cultural
Lack of knowledge
Lack of knowledge could be the reason why people do not report a crime. They
may be unaware it is a crime or do not have knowledge of the procedures
involved. For example, cyber-bullying via social networking and having to block
people who might abuse you.
