1.2 Reasons For Unreported Crimes

Question 1

Why is ‘fear’ a reason people don’t report crimes?

Personal reasons

Answer 1

• Examples -> domestic abuse & rape.
• May be unreported as the victims fears it will happen again or it may get worse or fear they will get into trouble.
• Other people may not want to get involved as they fear they may make it worse for the victim.

Question 2

Why is ‘shame’ a reason why people don’t report crime?

Personal Reasons

Answer 2

• Examples -> rape, vagrancy & prostitution.

- The victim may be ashamed at the situation they are in and may worry about what people may say or think about them.

Question 3

Why is ‘disinterest’ a reason for unreported Crimes?

Personal Reasons

Answer 3

• Examples -> white collar crime & prostitution.

- if people don’t care that a crime is happening then they won’t care enough to report it.

Question 4

Why is ‘effectiveness’ a reason for unreported crimes?

Personal Reasons

Answer 4

• Examples -> vandalism, vagrancy & victimless crimes.

- If people aren’t affected by the crime then they don’t tend to report it.

Question 5

Why is ‘lack of knowledge’ a reason for unreported crimes?

Social & Cultural Reasons

Answer 5

• Examples -> white collar crime & some victimless crimes.
• If people don’t know enough about a crime to see when its happening then they won’t report it.
• If a crime doesn’t affect someone then people aren’t sure if it’s actually a crime.
• A crime in one culture may not be a crime in another culture.

Question 6

Why is ‘complexity’ a reason for unreported crimes?

Social & Cultural Reasons

Answer 6

• Examples -> assisted suicide, rape & prostitution.
• There isn’t enough evidence to support them.
• The situation would already be pretty complicated.

Question 7

Why is ‘lack of media interest’ a reason for unreported crimes?
(Social & Cultural Reasons)

Answer 7

• Examples -> victimless crimes, vagrancy & vandalism.
• If crimes aren’t presented within the media people won’t realise they’re crimes.
• The media tends to focus on ‘more serious’ crimes rather than looking at all types of crime.

Question 8

Why is ‘lack of current public concern’ a reason for unreported crimes?
(Social & Cultural Reasons)

Answer 8

• Examples -> vagrancy, victimless crimes, vandalism & prostitution.
• If people don’t care and it isn’t affecting them then it doesn’t concern them so they won’t feel the need to report the crime.

Question 9

Why is ‘cultural bound crime’ a reason for unreported crimes?
(Social & Cultural Reasons)

Answer 9

• Examples -> domestic abuse & criminal assault & honour killings.
• Some crimes in one culture may not be crimes in different culture.
• Won’t be reported as they are seen as ‘normal’.