Why Crimes Go Unreported
Personal Reasons
Shame and Stigma
Shame is a common reason why individual criminal offences such as: rape, sexual assault
and domestic violence go unreported.
Many feel that it is their fault and struggle to come to terms with their experience.
Stigma can also play a huge part in why crimes go unreported, especially in male rape cases.
Even though there has been an increase in awareness, it is still a very taboo subject.
Fear
Fear the ripple effect of reporting crime.
Worry that there will be consequences from the perpetrator or that they will self-
incriminate.
In domestic abuse cases, sometimes people don’t report their abuse due to the fear of
losing their partner.
Many victims fear that they won’t be believed or that they will be blamed.
Lindsay Armstrong took her own life in July 2002 after the trauma of rape and the humiliation of the
trial. Lindsay was forced to hold up the underwear she was wearing at the time of the attack which
the court used against her. Lindsay was left mentally scarred and feeling that she was to blame for
the rape. Even though this case was reported, it could’ve prevented another rape victim from
speaking out.
Disinterest
Disinterest could mean that the person isn’t interested in the crime or that they feel the
police wouldn’t be interested.
Victimless crimes are often treated with disinterest (e.g. illegally downloading music,
vagrancy) and go unreported because they don’t create upset.
Attempted robbery is another example where the victim treats the case with disinterest. If
nothing has been stolen, it may not be seen as a crime or the victim may feel that the police
wouldn’t see it as a priority.
Private matter
Some crimes go unreported because the victim feels that it is a private matter and that it is
too personal to share.
Domestic abuse is an example of a crime that could be seen as a private matter. The victim
sees it to be between them and their partner and not an issue that can be sorted by the
wider community.
The violence could escalate and the victim may still leave it unreported due to the feeling
that it isn’t anyone else’s problem or business.
Personal Reasons
Shame and Stigma
Shame is a common reason why individual criminal offences such as: rape, sexual assault
and domestic violence go unreported.
Many feel that it is their fault and struggle to come to terms with their experience.
Stigma can also play a huge part in why crimes go unreported, especially in male rape cases.
Even though there has been an increase in awareness, it is still a very taboo subject.
Fear
Fear the ripple effect of reporting crime.
Worry that there will be consequences from the perpetrator or that they will self-
incriminate.
In domestic abuse cases, sometimes people don’t report their abuse due to the fear of
losing their partner.
Many victims fear that they won’t be believed or that they will be blamed.
Lindsay Armstrong took her own life in July 2002 after the trauma of rape and the humiliation of the
trial. Lindsay was forced to hold up the underwear she was wearing at the time of the attack which
the court used against her. Lindsay was left mentally scarred and feeling that she was to blame for
the rape. Even though this case was reported, it could’ve prevented another rape victim from
speaking out.
Disinterest
Disinterest could mean that the person isn’t interested in the crime or that they feel the
police wouldn’t be interested.
Victimless crimes are often treated with disinterest (e.g. illegally downloading music,
vagrancy) and go unreported because they don’t create upset.
Attempted robbery is another example where the victim treats the case with disinterest. If
nothing has been stolen, it may not be seen as a crime or the victim may feel that the police
wouldn’t see it as a priority.
Private matter
Some crimes go unreported because the victim feels that it is a private matter and that it is
too personal to share.
Domestic abuse is an example of a crime that could be seen as a private matter. The victim
sees it to be between them and their partner and not an issue that can be sorted by the
wider community.
The violence could escalate and the victim may still leave it unreported due to the feeling
that it isn’t anyone else’s problem or business.
