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Based on the week 6 readings, as well as everyday life knowledge. I do not believe crime can be accurately described as simply "on the rise," but rather as fluctuating in complex and uneven ways. The analysis by Grawert and Kim (2023) in our readings makes it clear that crime trends since 2020 were shaped by extraordinary conditions associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, including social disruption, economic instability, and increased gun availability. Violent crime, particularly homicide, rose sharply in 2020, but available data indicate that those increases slowed in 2021 and that murders declined in many jurisdictions in 2022. Property crime, on the other hand, did not follow the same pattern; most types of property crime declined during the same period. These findings caution against drawing simplistic conclusions or attributing crime trends to a single policy or political ideology. My perception of crime trends is therefore shaped not only by official data but also by awareness of how incomplete reporting systems, media coverage, and visible social disorder can amplify fear even when long-term crime rates remain well below historic highs (Grawert & Kim, 2023).
Despite the frequent labeling of these offenses as "nonviolent," in my personal opinion, victims of financial crimes undergo significant trauma. According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics (2015), approximately one in ten identity theft victims reported that the incident was severely distressing, and distress rates were substantially higher among victims of personal information fraud and those who experienced multiple types of identity theft. Financial crime victims often face anxiety, loss of trust, and prolonged stress related to repairing credit, resolving legal issues, and restoring financial stability. The data also show that emotional distress increases the longer victims spend resolving the consequences of the crime, with nearly one-third of those dealing with problems for six months or longer reporting severe distress.
Despite this harm, many victims face barriers to disclosing financial crimes. Fewer than one in ten identity theft victims reported the incident to police, often because they handled the matter through banks or credit card companies, believed the crime was not serious enough, or did not know how to report it (Bureau of Justice Statistics, 2015). Additional barriers include embarrassment, fear of being blamed, uncertainty about jurisdiction, and skepticism about whether law enforcement can help. These obstacles contribute to chronic underreporting and reinforce the misconception that financial crimes are less damaging than violent offenses. This week's readings emphasized recognizing financial crime victims as legitimate trauma victims and improving reporting systems and support mechanisms to reduce stigma and enhance access to justice.
The perceptions of rising crime are shaped less by objective trends and more by media exposure, personal experience, and limitations in crime data systems. At the same time, victims of financial crimes experience real and significant trauma but often face systemic and social barriers that prevent disclosure and recognition. Understanding these dynamics, as emphasized in crime measurement and victimology research, is essential for developing more accurate public perceptions and more responsive victim support systems. Need Assignment Help?