1.2 Reasons behind reporting crimes

Question 1

Give examples of ways to report crimes.

Answer 1

• Call the police (999/101)
• Helplines
• Go to a police station
• Report through a third party

Question 2

Give examples of crimes that are well reported.

Answer 2

• Murder
• Robbery/Mugging
• Kidnappings
• Assault

Question 3

Give examples of crimes that are under-reported.

Answer 3

• Domestic abuse
• Hate crime
• Sexual assault
• Rape
• Victimless crime
• Honour crime

Question 4

What are the nine possible reasons for not reporting crimes?

Answer 4

• Fear
• Complexity
• Lack of media interest
• Shame
• Disinterest
• Culture bound crime
• Not affected
• Lack of knowledge
• Lack of public concern

Question 5

Why is fear a reason behind not reporting crimes?

Answer 5

The person may fear the potential consequences for themselves or for loved ones.

Question 6

Why is complexity a reason behind not reporting crimes?

Answer 6

The crime or the situation may be very complex, making it difficult to report.

Question 7

Why is the lack of media interest a reason behind not reporting crimes?

Answer 7

Certain media sources highlight certain crimes more than others, therefore it may lead people to believe that the police will not be interested in the crime.

Question 8

Why is shame a reason behind not reporting crimes?

Answer 8

Some people may feel ashamed or embarrassed by the crime; this tends to be the case with sensitive crimes such as sexual crimes and rape.

Question 9

Why is disinterest a reason behind not reporting crimes?

Answer 9

Some people may not feel worried or upset by the crime, therefore they do not care about the crime and do not feel the need to report it.

Question 10

Why is a culture-bound crime a reason behind not reporting a crime?

Answer 10

Some people may not report crimes because it may be accepted within their culture.

Question 11

Why is not being affected a reason behind not reporting a crime?

Answer 11

Some people may believe that the crime doesn’t involve them and feel not affected, therefore not reporting the crime.

Question 12

Why is a lack of knowledge a reason behind not reporting crimes?

Answer 12

Some people may not know how to report a crime, or who to speak to.

Question 13

Why is a lack of public concern a reason behind not reporting crimes?

Answer 13

Sometimes, the public isn’t particularly interested in certain crimes, possibly believing that it shouldn’t be seen as a criminal offence.

Question 14

Out of the nine reasons, which reasons are personal reasons?

Answer 14

• Fear
• Shame
• Disinterest
• Not affected

Question 15

Out of the nine reasons, which reasons are social and cultural reasons?

Answer 15

• Lack of knowledge
• Lack of public concern
• Complexity
• Lack of media interest
• Culture bound crime

Question 16

Given an example where fear may be the reason why the crime is unreported and why.

Answer 16

Hate crime; this is because the victim may fear the consequences, such as the legal action and court rulings, or they may fear the attacker finding out and taking revenge.

Question 17

Give an example where shame may be the reason why the crime is unreported and why.

Answer 17

Rape; this is because the person may feel embarrassed or ashamed of what happened, or they may feel like they are bringing shame on to their family or loved ones.

Question 18

Give an example where disinterest may be the reason why the crime is unreported and why.

Answer 18

Vandalism; this is because it is very common and some people may feel unbothered by it.

Question 19

Given an example where not feeling affected may be the reason why the crime is unreported and why.

Answer 19

Piracy; this is because some people may feel like the crime benefits them more than harms them, therefore they may not report it.

Question 20

Give an example where a lack of knowledge may be the reason why the crime is unreported and why.

Answer 20

Technological crime; this is because some people may not be aware that certain situations are crimes, or they may not know how to report an e-crime.

Question 21

Give an example where complexity may be the reason why the crime is unreported and why.

Answer 21

White-collar crime; this is because offenders use sophisticated methods and processes to commit crimes, therefore making it difficult to report.

Question 22

Give an example where a lack of media interest may be the reason why the crime is unreported and why.

Answer 22

Assisted suicide; this is because assisted suicides are kept extremely secret and are therefore not discussed in the media, therefore someone may feel the need not to report it.

Question 23

Give an example where a lack of public concern may be the reason why the crime is unreported and why.

Answer 23

Vagrancy; the public may believe that homelessness shouldn’t be a criminal offence and therefore will not report it.

Question 24

Give an example where ‘culture-bound crime’ may be the reason why the crime is unreported and why.

Answer 24

Honour crime; this is because the crime that is being committed may be seen as acceptable within the culture, therefore it won’t be reported.

Question 25

For what reasons would rape go unreported?

Answer 25

• Shame

- Fear

Question 26

For what reasons would common assault go unreported?

Answer 26

• Disinterest

- Not affected

Question 27

For what reasons would domestic abuse go unreported?

Answer 27

• Shame

- Fear

Question 28

For what reasons would vandalism go unreported?

Answer 28

• Disinterest

- Not affected

Question 29

For what reasons would victimless crimes go unreported?

Answer 29

• Complexity
• Lack of knowledge
• Lack of media/public interest