Unit 1: AC1.3: Consequences of unreported crime

Question 1

Ripple effect

Answer 1

This describes how the impact of a crime can spread beyond the primary victim throughout their family, friends or community. Eg those who were abused as children, often become abusers.

Question 2

Cultural (2)

Answer 2

This can cause from a criminal action to become illegal in one country but still remain legal in another, as it is not known that is is an issue.

• On top of this, if in a culture a crime is thought to be fine to commit like honour killings then as they don’t consider it to be a crime it influences others like a younger generation to think that it is ok.
• eg, FGM

Question 3

Decriminalisation

Answer 3

When the law is altered to make a crime that was once illegal now legal. This happens because the law cannot be enforced or imposed. Eg, the use of cannabis

Question 4

Police prioritisation

Answer 4

Certain crimes are prioritised by the police. This ensures that the most important issues are addressed especially in local areas.

Question 5

Unrecorded crime

Answer 5

This refers to crimes that are reported to the police but not recorded by them. This can affect the police statistics and mean that a crime won’t be investigated despite it being reported.

Question 6

Cultural change

Answer 6

Minor crimes that are left unchecked and unreported lead them to become more serious as the amount of cases will increase because it is not being controlled. Eg, illegal video streaming

Question 7

Legal change

Answer 7

Certain crimes may be perceived as a human right and go unreported for a long time because of this, eg homosexuality

Question 8

Procedural change

Answer 8

The police have made it easier to report crime so that less in unreported. The most common methods are calling 999 or going into a police station, but on top of this you can call certain numbers if it is not emergency.