2007-03-26 11:17:34 · 18 answers · asked by deep in thought 4 in Social Science ➔ Psychology
It depends on the crime. All of violent crime goes unreported because of fear. Sexual crimes often go unreported because the victim just wants to forget about it and embarassment and also because of the circumstances.
I was raped outside of club at 17 and never reported it to the police. I didn't want to have to think about it ever again and didn't want to face him ever again, even in court. I was also worried that it wouldn't be taken seriously as I had been flirting with him and went outside of the club with him (to get a taxi home, alone). I now know that none of it was my fault because no means no and I made it clear that didn't want to
2007-03-26 21:18:37 · answer #1 · answered by willowbee 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Haven't reported theft of my wheel trims in the past because the police just aren't bothered!
They just give you a crime reference number over the phone in case you want to claim on your insurance.
The last time I rang them on 999 was when I had my handbag snatched. They did not attend. It took a couple of days to come and take a statement, and was told it would be passed to a different police officer to deal with. I had been told that the thief had abandoned his bicycle and that it had been put into a store room at the premises next door to where it happened. I informed the officer taking the statement of this.
A week later I was told by a friend who worked at those offices that the police still had not been to collect the bike.
I rang the officer dealing with it and managed to speak to him a couple of days later, to find that he hadn't arranged for it to be collected yet, so it hadn't yet been fingerprinted.
I haven't heard anything back since and that was about 5 years ago.
This is a common story in our area. What is the point in reporting non life threatening crime because they clearly can't/won't deal with it!
2007-03-26 18:46:23 · answer #2 · answered by Take me to Venice 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
because sometimes "spilling the beans" on someone can backfire on you. reporting a crime automatically makes you involved in the situation. police will question you because you are a witness. some people don't like to be questioned. if you don't say they right things or you tell lies, you will seem suspicious.
remember that when you report a crime, you could also be falsely accused as a suspect.
2007-03-26 18:31:49 · answer #3 · answered by J Leigh ♥ 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
probably given up trying to get the police to record them. You try reporting a dozen crimes and see how often the cops try to put you off by saying stuff like "oh they will be miles away now, not worth giving you a crime number" etc.
Either that or victims/witnesses are worried that they will get found out by the offender and not protected by the legal system.
2007-03-26 18:29:43 · answer #4 · answered by fieldmouse 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Often, the police are too busy to deal with "minor" crimes, and even if the criminal is caught, the sentences handed out by the courts are a complete joke.
2007-03-26 18:30:00 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
perhaps because reporting a crime would almost drag it out(?). some people would like to forget about the things that happen, or try to, and by reporting it they have to give statements over and over again, have their lives interrupted...
2007-03-26 19:36:22 · answer #6 · answered by spiralling 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Too many times the police just don't have time to fill out the report.
Also, people think that if there's no evidence left behind, what's the point. Just cut the loss and move on.
2007-03-26 18:25:39 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Several reasons:
-Criminal might have threatened them (victims) not to report it.
-Some people (who have witnessed crimes) just don't want to get involved.
-They (victims) are afraid of appearing wrong in their accusation.
-Little or no money for legal defense.
2007-03-26 18:30:43 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
*fear of the attacker or criminal getting revenge
*fear of the police or lack of trust in them
* if they are unaware a crime has been commited against them (white collar crime perhaps)
* they think they won't be believed
*if they don't have evidence
*if they feel ashamed or that they brought it on themselves
*they don't want to get involved-perhaps with other people's issues
*they are unaware of who to contact and how
hope this helps.
2007-03-26 19:08:56 · answer #9 · answered by SH2007 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If they are the victim... probably because they are too scared to and do not wish to go against the people who made them terrified
if they are a witness - they are probably scared that they are the ones to get blamed for the incident and get sent to prison
2007-03-26 18:26:10 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋