Final answer:
The statement is true, as many incidents of abuse, including those involving intimate partner violence, are not reported to authorities. Reasons for underreporting include viewing the issue as private, fear of retaliaiton, protection of the abuser, and distrust in the police's response. Underreporting distorts crime statistics and public perception of crime severity.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement 'Most cases of FBI go unreported' likely refers to the broader observation that many incidents of abuse are not reported to authorities, including the FBI. Despite the FBI's efforts through the Uniform Crime Reports (UCR) and the National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS), a significant portion of intimate partner violence (IPV) and other forms of abuse remain unreported. Reasons for underreporting, as shown in a study by Catalano (2007), include the perception of abuse as a private matter, fear of retaliation, a desire to protect the abuser, and the belief that the police will not take effective action.
Reasons Why Abuse Goes Unreported
Victims might consider the abuse to be a private matter, with 22% of females and 39% of males reporting this as a reason for not involving the police. Furthermore, fear can play a critical role; 12% of females and 5% of males did not report abuse due to fear of retaliation. Another reason is the desire to protect the abuser, cited by 14% of females and 16% of males. A dissatisfaction with the criminal justice system is evident in the belief that the police won't effectively handle the case, a concern shared by 8% of both females and males.
Impact of Underreporting
Underreporting of abuse skews public perception and affects crime statistics, which in turn influences policies and the allocation of resources for crime prevention and victim support services. The media's portrayal of crime also impacts public perception, potentially exaggerating the fear of crime in society. Even when reported by third parties, confirmation by victims is not guaranteed; a study found that 29% of victims denied abuse when questioned by the police.