Social and Cultural Barriers
Lack of knowledge creates a huge gap in crime reporting. If you don't realise something is actually illegal, you're obviously not going to report it. White collar crime is a perfect example - these complex financial crimes are so well-hidden and difficult to understand that most people can't even spot when they're happening.
Media attention massively influences what gets reported. Murder cases get wall-to-wall coverage, but crimes with less dramatic appeal often get ignored. There's also the issue of public concern - many people don't see downloading music illegally or smoking cannabis as "real" crimes worth reporting.
Culture-bound crimes present perhaps the trickiest challenge. Some acts that are criminal in UK law might be accepted or even expected in certain cultural communities. Honour-based violence is a stark example where cultural acceptance can prevent reporting, even when observers from other backgrounds might want to intervene.
Common assault often goes unreported because victims think police won't take threats seriously unless actual physical harm occurs. A threat like "I'm going to get you" might feel minor at the time, but could escalate later.
Key insight: Social barriers to reporting crime often reflect broader issues about education, media representation, and cultural understanding.