Unreported crime

• What are the four personal reasons for unreported crime?

  Fear, shame, disinterest and not affected
• What are the 5 Social and cultural reasons for unreported crime?

  .lack of knowledge, complexity, lack of public concern, lack of media interest and culture bound crime
• fear?

  fear consequences for offender themselves or family
• Shame?


  Embarrassed they were unable to defenf themselves and don’t want to share personal details of crime
• Example of fear ?

  .Domestic abuse, honour crime and hate crime
• Example for shame?

  sexual assault, rape
• Disinterest?

  People do not care or feel upset about a crime
• Disinterest example?


  walking past a homeless person on drugs but not report is as they are disinterested
• Not affected?

  if an incident does not concern and individual they may feel it is up to someone else to report it
• Not affected example?

  vandalism if it is not their own property
• Lack of knowledge ?


  may not be aware the act is criminal or know how to report it
• Lack of knowledge example?


  They may not be aware that acts such as vagrancy is a crime
• Complexity?


  Might not understand that a crime has been committed if it is difficult to understand
• Complexity example ?

  .white collar crime as transactions are hidden and private so ahrd to track down
• Lack of media interest?

  crimes are not promoted by media as it may not gain public interest
• Lack of media interest example?

  Murder will take priority in being reported in comparison to moral crimes such as underage drinking
• Lack of public concern?

  when the public are not bothered by a crime so are reluctant to report it
• Lack on public concern example?

  downloading music illegally so they can listen free of charge
• Culture bound crime?

  crime acceptable in certain areas and cultures of society
• Culture bound crime example?

  honour killings which are accepted in some cultures however people outside of this may be mystified but not report as they don’t want to interfere
• Perceived victimless crime?

  Assisted suicide and the victime desires the act to take place