A-LEVEL CRIMINOLOGY UNIT 1 (AC 1.5) – MEDIA
CAMPAIGNS & CRIME AWARENESS ACTUAL EXAM
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES
GRADED A+ LATEST
A-Level Criminology – Unit 1
Mock Exam – AC 1.5: Evaluating the Effectiveness of Media Campaigns in
Raising Awareness of Crime
Time: 60 minutes
Total Marks: 50
Instructions: Answer all questions. Show application, analysis, and evaluation
where required. Marks for each question are indicated in brackets.
Section A – Short Answer / Knowledge (10 marks)
Q1. (4 marks)
Explain one way a media campaign can raise awareness of crime.
Answer:
A media campaign can raise awareness by educating the public about the nature of
the crime and how to prevent it. For example, an anti-knife crime campaign may
show the legal consequences of carrying a weapon and the physical dangers
involved.
Rationale:
Explains a method of raising awareness (education), with a clear crime-specific
example.
,Q2. (3 marks)
Identify one target audience for domestic abuse awareness campaigns.
Answer:
Victims of domestic abuse.
Rationale:
The audience is specified; correct targeting is key in evaluating campaign
effectiveness.
Q3. (3 marks)
State one limitation of crime awareness campaigns.
Answer:
They may raise awareness but do not always change behaviour; offenders may
continue offending despite knowing the risks.
Rationale:
Demonstrates understanding that awareness does not guarantee behaviour change.
Section B – Application / Analysis (20 marks)
Q4. (6 marks)
Assess one strength of using social media in crime awareness campaigns.
Answer:
Social media allows campaigns to reach a wide audience quickly, particularly
younger age groups who may be at higher risk for issues like knife crime or online
bullying. Interactive content, like videos and hashtags, can encourage sharing and
discussion, increasing the campaign’s reach and engagement.
Rationale:
Evaluates strength with explanation of audience impact and engagement; goes
beyond simple description.
,Q5. (6 marks)
Explain one reason why a crime awareness campaign might fail to reduce crime
levels.
Answer:
A campaign may fail if the audience ignores the message or lacks resources to act.
For instance, a domestic abuse campaign might encourage victims to report abuse,
but some may fear retaliation or lack access to support services, meaning
awareness does not translate into action.
Rationale:
Links limitation directly to outcome and real-life factors, showing analytical
thinking.
Q6. (8 marks)
Using a specific example, evaluate the effectiveness of a media campaign in
raising awareness of cybercrime.
Answer:
The “Think Before You Click” campaign aimed to educate people on phishing
scams and safe online practices. It was effective because it reached a large
audience via social media and television, highlighting specific behaviours to
prevent crime. However, a limitation is that many users still ignore warnings or fail
to change habits, meaning awareness does not always reduce incidents.
Additionally, campaigns may not reach older or less tech-literate audiences.
Overall, the campaign was moderately effective but needs complementary
measures, like improved cybersecurity education and regulation, to fully reduce
cybercrime.
Rationale:
Evaluates both strengths and limitations, uses a specific example, considers target
audience, and concludes with a reasoned judgement.
, Q7. (6 marks)
Explain how the choice of media platform can influence the success of a crime
awareness campaign.
Answer:
Different platforms reach different audiences. For example, Instagram or TikTok
may be more effective for younger people, while television may reach older
audiences. Using the wrong platform could reduce the campaign’s impact if the
intended audience does not see it. Multi-platform campaigns increase coverage and
engagement, improving effectiveness.
Rationale:
Shows analytical understanding of audience targeting and platform strategy.
Section C – Evaluation / Scenario-Based (20 marks)
Scenario:
A local council has launched a campaign to reduce knife crime among teenagers.
The campaign uses social media posts, school talks, and a TV advert showing the
consequences of knife carrying. Six months later, hospital admissions related to
knife injuries remain high, but online engagement with the campaign is high.
Q8. (8 marks)
Evaluate the effectiveness of the council’s knife crime campaign.
Answer:
The campaign was effective in raising awareness, as shown by high online
engagement and positive feedback from school talks. However, hospital
admissions indicate that awareness did not translate into behaviour change. This
may be due to peer pressure, gang involvement, or social factors that media
campaigns alone cannot address. Therefore, while awareness was raised, the
campaign was only partially effective in reducing crime. Greater effectiveness
could be achieved by combining the campaign with targeted policing, youth
programs, or community interventions.
CAMPAIGNS & CRIME AWARENESS ACTUAL EXAM
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES
GRADED A+ LATEST
A-Level Criminology – Unit 1
Mock Exam – AC 1.5: Evaluating the Effectiveness of Media Campaigns in
Raising Awareness of Crime
Time: 60 minutes
Total Marks: 50
Instructions: Answer all questions. Show application, analysis, and evaluation
where required. Marks for each question are indicated in brackets.
Section A – Short Answer / Knowledge (10 marks)
Q1. (4 marks)
Explain one way a media campaign can raise awareness of crime.
Answer:
A media campaign can raise awareness by educating the public about the nature of
the crime and how to prevent it. For example, an anti-knife crime campaign may
show the legal consequences of carrying a weapon and the physical dangers
involved.
Rationale:
Explains a method of raising awareness (education), with a clear crime-specific
example.
,Q2. (3 marks)
Identify one target audience for domestic abuse awareness campaigns.
Answer:
Victims of domestic abuse.
Rationale:
The audience is specified; correct targeting is key in evaluating campaign
effectiveness.
Q3. (3 marks)
State one limitation of crime awareness campaigns.
Answer:
They may raise awareness but do not always change behaviour; offenders may
continue offending despite knowing the risks.
Rationale:
Demonstrates understanding that awareness does not guarantee behaviour change.
Section B – Application / Analysis (20 marks)
Q4. (6 marks)
Assess one strength of using social media in crime awareness campaigns.
Answer:
Social media allows campaigns to reach a wide audience quickly, particularly
younger age groups who may be at higher risk for issues like knife crime or online
bullying. Interactive content, like videos and hashtags, can encourage sharing and
discussion, increasing the campaign’s reach and engagement.
Rationale:
Evaluates strength with explanation of audience impact and engagement; goes
beyond simple description.
,Q5. (6 marks)
Explain one reason why a crime awareness campaign might fail to reduce crime
levels.
Answer:
A campaign may fail if the audience ignores the message or lacks resources to act.
For instance, a domestic abuse campaign might encourage victims to report abuse,
but some may fear retaliation or lack access to support services, meaning
awareness does not translate into action.
Rationale:
Links limitation directly to outcome and real-life factors, showing analytical
thinking.
Q6. (8 marks)
Using a specific example, evaluate the effectiveness of a media campaign in
raising awareness of cybercrime.
Answer:
The “Think Before You Click” campaign aimed to educate people on phishing
scams and safe online practices. It was effective because it reached a large
audience via social media and television, highlighting specific behaviours to
prevent crime. However, a limitation is that many users still ignore warnings or fail
to change habits, meaning awareness does not always reduce incidents.
Additionally, campaigns may not reach older or less tech-literate audiences.
Overall, the campaign was moderately effective but needs complementary
measures, like improved cybersecurity education and regulation, to fully reduce
cybercrime.
Rationale:
Evaluates both strengths and limitations, uses a specific example, considers target
audience, and concludes with a reasoned judgement.
, Q7. (6 marks)
Explain how the choice of media platform can influence the success of a crime
awareness campaign.
Answer:
Different platforms reach different audiences. For example, Instagram or TikTok
may be more effective for younger people, while television may reach older
audiences. Using the wrong platform could reduce the campaign’s impact if the
intended audience does not see it. Multi-platform campaigns increase coverage and
engagement, improving effectiveness.
Rationale:
Shows analytical understanding of audience targeting and platform strategy.
Section C – Evaluation / Scenario-Based (20 marks)
Scenario:
A local council has launched a campaign to reduce knife crime among teenagers.
The campaign uses social media posts, school talks, and a TV advert showing the
consequences of knife carrying. Six months later, hospital admissions related to
knife injuries remain high, but online engagement with the campaign is high.
Q8. (8 marks)
Evaluate the effectiveness of the council’s knife crime campaign.
Answer:
The campaign was effective in raising awareness, as shown by high online
engagement and positive feedback from school talks. However, hospital
admissions indicate that awareness did not translate into behaviour change. This
may be due to peer pressure, gang involvement, or social factors that media
campaigns alone cannot address. Therefore, while awareness was raised, the
campaign was only partially effective in reducing crime. Greater effectiveness
could be achieved by combining the campaign with targeted policing, youth
programs, or community interventions.
