ac 1.2 Flashcards
explain the reasons why certain crimes go unreported
what is the criteria to report a crime
-must be against the law
-someone must be able to prove the event took place
-must be reported
-it must be recorded by the police
what are personal reasons not to report a crime?
fear
shame
disinterest
not affected by the crime
why may victims be scared of reporting a crime
-victims may fear reprisals or further crimes occurring.
-They may fear consequences on their family- e.g., Domestic violence
-fear nothing will happen
-fear police will make things worse
-fear perpetrator will walk free
-could be a common crime so police won’t prioritise
why may a victim be ashamed of reporting a crime
-May not want to admit the crime has happened
-May not want their vulnerabilities disclosed.
-Negative attitudes.
-Blame.
-Unsympathetic responses.
-Repeat offence – pattern forms.
-Gender expectations- e.g.. male victims of domestic violence
why may someone be disinterested in reporting a crime
-victimless crime-moral crime
-victims not bothered
-worried police won’t be interested
-crime doesn’t bother the observer
-decriminalised
-low level crime
why would someone not be affected by the crime
-If you are not personally affected, then you may not care enough to report to the police. E.g., someone else’s property being damaged.
-Victim is not always affected directly e.g., attempted robbery.
-Victimless crime e.g., partaking of drugs voluntarily,
-People feeling as though it has nothing to do with them.
what are some cultural or social reasons
-lack of knowledge
-complexity
-lack of media interest
-lack of public concern
-culture bound crime
in what way may people lack knowledge about a crime
-Someone may not know an action is against the law or may not know how or to whom to report it to.
-Lack of knowledge of perpetrator
-Lack of knowledge of victim
-Some cultures- crimes are different
Common act e.g.,downloading music online, may be seen as acceptable not criminal.
how may a crime be too complex
-people may not actually understand the crime itself
how high there be lack of media interest
-We gain much of our knowledge of crime through the media. If media aren’t reporting, then we may become desensitised to the crime.
-Not all crimes gain media interest
-Dissuades people if no interest