AC1.2 Explain the reasons that certain crimes are unreported
Personal reasons (Fear, shame, disinterest, not affected)
- example of personal reason > examples of crimes unreported because of this reason
Certain crimes may not be reported for personal reasons. For example, someone may be afraid of the
implications reporting a crime may have on them. For instance, an employee may not report white collar crime
that their boss is committing, due to the fear of losing their job. Other examples of crimes that may not be
reported due to this include hate crime and domestic violence.
Another personal reason that may stop a person from reporting a crime, is that they may feel as though the
crime does not affect them. For example, a person may not report hate crime, as they may feel as though it
has nothing to do with them, as it isn’t happening to them. Other examples of crimes that may not be reported
due to this include, moral crimes, white collar crimes and domestic violence.
Fear:
The victim of a crime may be concerned that there will be reprisals if they report it to the police. If
the victim knows the ofendor, they may be afraid that reporting the crime might lead to further
actions against them. Victims may also fear the possible consequences for their families and those
close to them.
Shame:
Being the victim of a crime may cause embarrassment or shame. The victim may not want to admit
that such a crime has happened because of how it makes them feel or how it makes them appear to
others. As a result, they may fail to report the crime to the police. E.G: Technological crime ,Hate
crime or domestic abuse.
Disinterest:
A crime may go unreported because those who witness it are disinterested. For example, if someone
witnesses adolescents drinking alcohol in the local park, they may be unconcerned about the offence
being committed and so do not bother to report it.
Not affected by the crime:
Similarly, to being disinterested, a person may not be personally affected by a particular crime and
so may not feel the need to report it to the police. For example, if a person sees someone else’s
home or car being broken into, they may not care because it doesn’t affect them personally and so
they don’t report it.
Social and cultural reasons (Lack of knowledge, complexity, lack of media interest,
lack of current public concern, culture bound crime)
- example of social/cultural reason > examples of crimes unreported because of this reason
X3
Personal reasons (Fear, shame, disinterest, not affected)
- example of personal reason > examples of crimes unreported because of this reason
Certain crimes may not be reported for personal reasons. For example, someone may be afraid of the
implications reporting a crime may have on them. For instance, an employee may not report white collar crime
that their boss is committing, due to the fear of losing their job. Other examples of crimes that may not be
reported due to this include hate crime and domestic violence.
Another personal reason that may stop a person from reporting a crime, is that they may feel as though the
crime does not affect them. For example, a person may not report hate crime, as they may feel as though it
has nothing to do with them, as it isn’t happening to them. Other examples of crimes that may not be reported
due to this include, moral crimes, white collar crimes and domestic violence.
Fear:
The victim of a crime may be concerned that there will be reprisals if they report it to the police. If
the victim knows the ofendor, they may be afraid that reporting the crime might lead to further
actions against them. Victims may also fear the possible consequences for their families and those
close to them.
Shame:
Being the victim of a crime may cause embarrassment or shame. The victim may not want to admit
that such a crime has happened because of how it makes them feel or how it makes them appear to
others. As a result, they may fail to report the crime to the police. E.G: Technological crime ,Hate
crime or domestic abuse.
Disinterest:
A crime may go unreported because those who witness it are disinterested. For example, if someone
witnesses adolescents drinking alcohol in the local park, they may be unconcerned about the offence
being committed and so do not bother to report it.
Not affected by the crime:
Similarly, to being disinterested, a person may not be personally affected by a particular crime and
so may not feel the need to report it to the police. For example, if a person sees someone else’s
home or car being broken into, they may not care because it doesn’t affect them personally and so
they don’t report it.
Social and cultural reasons (Lack of knowledge, complexity, lack of media interest,
lack of current public concern, culture bound crime)
- example of social/cultural reason > examples of crimes unreported because of this reason
X3
