National Survey of Victimization: Another Trend-Crime Mapping Tools

Abstract

The concept of the "dark figure" refers to the discrepancy between the actual occurrence of criminal activities and the quantity of reported incidents received by the criminal justice system, particularly law enforcement agencies. The term "dark figure of crime" pertains to unreported criminal incidents that are not captured inside the criminal justice system. Inclusion of these unreported crimes in official crime statistics would result in a significant amplification of the overall crime figures. To address the disparity between police records, namely police crime statistics, and the actual occurrence of crimes, many regions have initiated efforts to incorporate victims as the focal point of their investigations. In Indonesia, surveys of victims are generally carried out by private groups, and relate to certain types of crimes. The hesitancy exhibited by victims in reporting their experiences might provide challenges for law enforcement officials in their efforts to uphold societal stability. Victim surveys can extend beyond individuals who have directly experienced crime, encompassing tertiary victims (i.e., indirect victims) who harbour concerns about potential victimisation. Victim surveys can also be utilised to examine victims' perspectives within the complex framework of the criminal justice system, particularly in cases involving many victimisation incidents. Keywords: crime, survey, victims