Why Do Victims Fail to Report? The Psychology of Criminal Victimization
作者:
Robert F. Kidd,
Ellen F. Chayet,
期刊:
Journal of Social Issues
(WILEY Available online 1984)
卷期:
Volume 40,
issue 1
页码: 39-50
ISSN:0022-4537
年代: 1984
DOI:10.1111/j.1540-4560.1984.tb01081.x
出版商: Blackwell Publishing Ltd
数据来源: WILEY
摘要:
This article reviews emotional and cognitive reactions to criminal victimization. It draws connections between the contents of these reactions and victims' reluctance to report the crime to authorities. Since between one half and two thirds of all crimes are not so reported, understanding these connections is critical. We argue that nonreporting is the result of three factors acting singly or in concert: (a) victim fear, (b) feelings of helplessness and the perceived powerlessness of police, and (c) the threat of further victimization from authorities. We believe victims react in relatively rational ways. Despite the apparent loss of control and the strong fear engendered by the experience, the victimization does not lead people to report it to authorities. Instead, reporting to police is often realistically viewed by victims as ineffective and potentially costly.
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