Consequences of Unreported crime Flashcards
What is the Ripple effect?
An unreported crime may not only affect the primary victim but can spread across a whole community or society and affect secondary victims.
What can be an example of the ripple effect?
Hate crime - Even if only an individual is a victim, the whole community may get a message about ‘wave of harm’.
What are Cultural consequences?
People from different cultures may view the same action differently. Some practices are seen as unacceptable and against the law but some communities may see the practice as acceptable.
What is a practice that is illegal in the UK but some cultures see as acceptable?
- FGM (Female Genital Mutation)
- Forced Marriages
What is Decriminalisation and Legal change?
Some actions are widespread but are against the law. So if the actions are seen as harmless, victimless crimes, they may go underreported. As the crime is not seen as a ‘real’ crime, campaigners may demand a change in law.
Some countries have gone as far as to legalise some actions such as legalising cannabis.
What is Police prioritisation?
Police give priority to some crimes over others. Once the public find out that the police are prioritising certain crimes, they won’t report the other crimes as they are seen as unimportant.
Why might police priorities crimes over some?
- Limited resources: cannot investigate every crime due to spending cuts and time
- Local population: may have concerns over other crimes then others
- Media: Focus on some crimes over others.
- Home Office: have crimes they want the police to prioritise.
Why might Unrecorded crime be a consequence?
- The public are the main reason crime is detected (90%) so if they choose not to report, they cannot be recorded or investigated.
- Cannot be prevented
- False sense of security
However, even if the crime is reported it may not be investigated.
Why might some crimes not be investigated even if they are reported?
- may not believe the story or might not have enough evidence
- victim may refuse to press charges
- may not wish to investigate
What is the dark figure?
Unrecorded crime is known as the dark figure of crime. Means that the government and criminal justice system gets a distorted picture of crime and could be neglecting more widespread and serious crimes.
What are cultural changes?
- Norms and Values
- New technology
- Acceptance of disorder
Why might norms and values be consequences for reporting crime?
When a society goes through periods of change, this leads to a change in norms and values. Therefore, behaviour that was unacceptable and against the law is now acceptable yet still against the law.
Why might new technology be a consequence for reporting crime?
New technology can give opportunities for crime. Illegal downloading is not seen as a ‘real’ crime and becomes acceptable and a part of society.
Why might acceptance of disorder be a consequence of reporting a crime?
Cultural change may occur in different neighbourhoods. Residents may come to accept certain situations. This means crime will fail to be reported and tackled by the police.
What are Procedural changes?
Underreporting may lead to the police changing how crime can be reported.
