Dark figure of crimes pertains to crimes that actually happen, but go unreported. The reason this is troubling for sociologist and data analyst, is because it’s the dark figures that precludes true effectiveness in the reporting of crime data. The accuracy in the reporting is crucial for several reasons. One being that it helps officials and strategist plan for their “attack,” in certain neighborhoods as they will have focus areas. In addition, it’s important to have data to assess the efficiency of the overall department. Citizens are extremely critical, as they should be, regarding the performance of the police department. Having the ability to review year over year reporting will indicate an increase or the favorable decrease in the crime results. There are many factors that contribute to the Dark Figure of Crime, but in my opinion, that number one influencer is rape. Statistics shows that rape is still one of the most unreported crimes out there, and an estimated 54% of rapes that happen each year goes unreported (Reporting Rates). To add insult to injury for those that report the crimes, only about 3% of the accused serve time in jail (Reporting Rates). That means out of 100 rapes that happen, 97 of them will walk free and will never pay for their crime. The interesting, yet sad common thread about rape is that the issue of them being unreported isn’t just seen in the United States but across the world. 80% of those raped are under the age of 30, and 44% of those raped are under the age of 18 (statistics). There are many reasons that rape goes unreported. 2/3 of the victims raped each year are assaulted by someone they know. The sociological turmoil that a man or woman undergoes when raped is a huge factor in them not wanting to report the crime, but mixing in the fact that the victim knows the assailant adds another level to the already potent dynamic. The embarrassment and stigma that follows one that has been victimized along with friends and family members not believing them causes doubt, more insecurities, and complicate the matter even more. Once taken advantage of in this manner, there are many stages that the victims go through, one being the guilt of feeling as though they themselves were the cause for the issue. So why would this be a concern of analyst if they know 97% of the rapist will walk free to being with? For one, not ever fully addressing this issue doesn’t lend a reason for sanctions and further laws to be established and modified to suit a people they can’t account for. The first rape crisis center wasn’t established until 1970 albeit women have been raped for centuries. Rape crisis centers are non-profit organizations that are state/federally funded with additional assistance from private funders and the business community. For the state and federal funds it’s imperative that we have some type of figure to substantiate a need to have them. If the reports aren’t reflecting a demand for the program, especially in the midst of such economic pandemonium, political officials are constantly looking at ways to cuts programs to help curb the deficit this country is in.
References:
Statistics. Retrieved from http://www.rainn.org/statistics
The Rape Crisis Center. Retrieved from http://rapecrisis.com/about-rcc-history.php