To Speak or Remain Silent: The Case of Reporting Crime Victimization to the Police

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine the factors influencing the victim’s decisions to report to the police and the victim’s coping mechanisms after the process of victimization. The qualitative-case study research method was used. An adopted interview guide was used as the primary data-gathering instrument, and thematic analysis was used in analyzing data. There were six (6) participants who participated in this study. The purposive sampling method was used in choosing the participants. Results of the study revealed that victims have reasons to report and not to report their victimization to the police. It comes from several factors stemming from personal which the victims seek justice, fear, socio-economic status; police factor which includes trust in the police and lack of evidence, and sociological factor which is the influence of known people. Victims’ coping mechanisms are emotion-focused coping; avoiding reminders of crime and getting support.Reporting of crime to the police is a behavior that is dependent on several factors. Reporting of crime to the police is a behavior that is dependent on several factors. Depending on the factors, the crime can either be reported or not. Victims decide whether to seek help from the police, to seek a private solution, to re-evaluate the situation, or to do nothing at all. The factors that may influence a person to report or not to report a crime reflects societal problems hounding not only the police but the communit as a whole. The victim’s decision to report their crime victimization is necessary for the quest for more balanced yet effective measures to address actual crime situations. Victims use many possible coping strategies at their disposal and their choice of strategy which is a combination of cognitive skills in problem-solving, history, and individual personality variables. These coping mechanisms will help them get over their crime victimization.