Gender and crime: Under reporting of female crime

Question 1

The chivalry factor

Answer 1

Male law enforcement treat female offenders with courtesy and sympathy and ‘ let them off the hook ‘ such as either giving them warnings/non- custodial sentences

Question 2

Evidence against the chivalry factor: Not all

Answer 2

Not all women are treated with chivalry e.g. ‘ unfeminine women ‘ : young, sexually active women, women who commit crimes against children + poorer women

Question 3

Evidence against the chivalry factor: Men

Answer 3

Men genuinely commit more crime, self report studies show men admire to breaking the law more

Question 4

Evidence against the chivalry factor: Under reported

Answer 4

Crimes against women are under reported, victims of DV fear coming forward, rape victims are often blamed or ‘trailed ‘ in court